BRYAN, TX, USA
N6372A
CESSNA 182
ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 14, A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. DUE TO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND VEHICLE TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY, THE PILOT MADE A DECISION TO LAND IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING IN ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR, LEFT MAIN GEAR, AND LEFT WING WERE DAMAGED. THE PILOT REPORTED 15 GALLONS OF FUEL AT THE INITIAL PREFLIGHT. OPERATOR RECORDS INDICATED 12.5 GALLONS AT THE START OF THE DAY'S FLIGHTS WITH 17 GALLONS ADDED AFTER THE SECOND SKYDIVING FLIGHT FOR A TOTAL OF 29.5 GALLONS. TACHOMETER READINGS INDICATED 3.44 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME FOR THE DAY. FLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY VARIED IN DURATION AND ALTITUDE. THE LAST FLIGHT WAS THE NINTH TRIP FOR THE DAY. MANUFACTURER FUEL BURN PERFORMANCE DATA VARIES FROM 2.5 GPH TO 11.4 GPH. DURING RECOVERY, FUEL DRAINED FROM THE LEFT WING TANK WAS 2.5 GALLONS WITH A FEW OUNCES FROM THE RIGHT TANK. FUEL QUANTITY DATA STATES THE TOTAL UNUSABLE FUEL AS 3 GALLONS. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR AND THE CARBURETOR; HOWEVER, NO RESIDUAL FUEL WAS FOUND IN ANY FUEL LINES.
On May 21, 1994, at 1710 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6372A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Bryan, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local skydiving flight. According to the pilot/operator report, prior to the last flight the pilot visually checked the fuel tanks with a calibrated dipstick which indicated 7.5 gallons of fuel in each tank. The flight departed runway 14 with a climb to 10,000 feet MSL at 90 mph with a power setting of 24 inches of manifold pressure and 2,400 RPM. After the skydivers exited the airplane, the pilot placed the airplane in a steep spiraling descent (50 to 60 degree bank, at 140 mph, 15 inches manifold pressure, and 2,100 RPM) for a downwind pattern entry for runway 14. The airplane was number two for landing and the pilot extended the flight on the downwind leg for about 1 mile before turning the airplane onto the base leg. The pilot further stated that as he slowed the airplane to 90 mph and turned the airplane to final approach, a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot checked the fuel selector on "BOTH." Due to construction equipment, transmission lines, and vehicle traffic on a highway, the pilot made a decision to land in a field. During the landing roll in rough and uneven terrain, the nose gear and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest with the nose and left wing resting on the ground. The operator and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported the airplane ground roll was approximately 50 feet. The inspector stated that the fuel tanks were checked for the presence of fuel through the filler openings and "very little fuel was evident." Fuel system integrity was maintained. Flight control continuity was verified. During the airplane recovery, the operator and a mechanic reported fuel drained from the left wing tank was 2.5 gallons with a few ounces of fuel drained from the right wing tank. Fuel quantity data states the total unusable fuel as 3.0 gallons. The operator reported "no residual fuel in the fuel lines from the tanks through the fuel selector to the gascolator." Fuel was found in the gascolator and the carburetor; however, there was no fuel in the line between the components. The operator's daily trip sheet (enclosed) for the airplane indicated an initial tachometer time of 1797.39. Tachometer reading at the site was 1800.83, indicating the total flight time for the day as 3.44 hours. The trip sheet further indicated the initial preflight fuel at 12.5 gallons and 17 gallons added after the second skydiving flight for a total of 29.5 gallons for the day. Flights throughout the day varied in duration and altitude. The last flight was the ninth trip for the day. Manufacturer fuel burn performance data for the airplane varies from 2.5 gph to 11.4 gph. An examination of the airframe and engine by the manufacturer representatives on May 21, 1994, at Bryan, Texas, did not reveal any anomalies that would have contributed to the loss of engine power or the accident. The airplane was released to the owner.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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