Aviation Accident Summary CHI95LA319

YALE, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N97109

CESSNA 182

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BELIEVED THERE WAS TEN GALLONS OF FUEL IN EACH TANK ACCORDING TO VISUAL AND GAGE READINGS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. AFTER FLYING FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, WHILE ENTERING DOWNWIND, THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED' AND LOST POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD AND 'STALLED' THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY WHEN HE EXAMINED THEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE FUEL STRAINER AND CARBURETOR BOWL WERE EMPTY. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED.

Factual Information

On September 8, 1995, at 1903 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182, N97109, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing in Yale, Michigan. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. One passenger reported no injuries. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated about 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he believed there was ten gallons of fuel in each tank according to visual and gage readings prior to the flight. After flying for approximately one hour, while entering downwind, the engine "sputtered" and lost power. The pilot attempted to land in a field and "stalled" the airplane at an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The airplane impacted in a soy bean field. The pilot reported that the fuel tanks were empty when he examined them after the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the pilot stated that he "believed he ran out of fuel." Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl were empty. No evidence of fuel system malfunction was reported.

Probable Cause and Findings

loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply leading to fuel exhaustion. The inadvertent stall during the forced landing was a factor.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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