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2020 C-182 Engine Failure Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Single-Engine PA Pottstown

C-182A Non-Fatal Pottstown, PA July 20, 2020

After the owner was given permission by the NTSB to remove the airplane from the roadway, the wings
were removed for transport, and the airplane was transported to N37, where the wreckage was examined by an FAA inspector. Since the wings had been removed to transport the airplane, the inspector could not check the remaining fuel quantity. However, the chief pilot of Skydive Lancaster, which used the
airplane for its skydiving (parachuting) operation, advised the FAA that when he was on-scene during
the wing removal, that 5 to 6 total gallons of fuel was removed from the left wing fuel tank, and that the
right wing fuel tank was empty. The FAA inspector also received a statement from the mechanic who
had removed the wings for transport, where he stated that he estimated 4 to 5 gallons were removed
from the left wing, and the right tank was dry. A visual examination of both wings by the FAA
inspector, also revealed the left wing fuel tank feed hose displayed dampness, and there was visible
staining consistent with the blue dye used in 100LL aviation gasoline around the area where the wing
was de-mated for transport. The right wing hose however was dry, and no staining was present.

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2017 AL Ferry Fuel Exhaustion Harvest Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine PAC 750XL Preflight

PAC 750 Non-Fatal Harvest, AL August 28, 2017

The commercial pilot was conducting a cross-country flight to deliver the airplane to a maintenance
facility. The airplane departed with full fuel tanks. The pilot stated that, as the airplane neared the
planned fuel stop airport, he thought that there was adequate fuel remaining to reach the maintenance
facility, so he did not stop to refuel and continued to the destination. About 4 hours 23 minutes into the
flight, which was past the expected fuel exhaustion time of about 4 hours 18 minutes (assuming a fuel
burn of 50 gallons per hour, which the pilot used for his initial flight planning), the pilot declared an
emergency and advised an air traffic controller that the airplane was out of fuel. The controller provided
information to the pilot about nearby airports, but the airplane would not have been able to reach any of
them, so the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. Before touchdown in the field, the pilot descended
to avoid power lines ahead, but the airplane hit one of the lines. The airplane touched down in the field,
impacted an embankment, and came to rest upright on a road. The airplane sustained substantial
damage.

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2017 C-182 CA Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Single-Engine San Martin

C182A Non-Fatal San Martin, CA June 24, 2017

The pilot reported that he departed for a parachute jump flight with 12 gallons of fuel onboard. He added
that, after the parachute jumpers exited the airplane about 10,500 ft mean sea level (msl), he initiated a
left spiraling descent back to the airport. He further added that he “heard and felt the engine start [to]
quiet down as if it was shutting down.” He then began to make right descending turns and verified that
the fuel selector was in the “both” position. He added that the cylinder head temperature was decreasing,
so he switched back to left descending turns and that the “fuel starvation due to banking happened two
more times.”

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2017 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Single-Engine NY Ovid

C-182A Non-Fatal Ovid, NY April 23, 2017

On the fourth skydiving flight of the day, the commercial pilot climbed the airplane to 10,000 ft mean
sea level (msl), and after the last jumper had departed the airplane, the pilot initiated a steep left turning
descent. When the airplane was at 3,000 ft msl, the engine lost total power. The pilot was unable to
restart the engine and turned the airplane to land on the runway, but when he realized that it would not
be able to reach the runway, he landed in a field short of the approach end of the runway. During the
ground roll, the airplane nosed over and then came to rest inverted. The fuselage and wings sustained
substantial damage.

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2016 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Single-Engine NV Reno

C-182A Non-Fatal Reno, NV May 24, 2016

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector that arrived at the scene
shortly after the accident, he located the uninjured pilot in command (PIC) and a passenger rated pilot
who were the only occupants of the airplane. The inspector reported that the PIC told him that he had
fueled the airplane prior to the flight. The PIC told the inspector that he had flown 2.5 hours on the right
tank which indicated 3.9 gallons of fuel remained per the electronic fuel quantity indicator, at which
time he switched to the left tank which indicated 15 gallons of fuel remained per the electronic fuel
quantity indicator. The PIC reported to the inspector thatafter switching tanks the engine ran for an
additional five minutes and ceased operation. The PIC told the inspector that he contacted air traffic
control (ATC) stating that he had experienced an “engine failure”, and that they would not make it to the
nearest airport. The pilot landed the airplane on a highway five miles from the destination airport.
During the landing the nose gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.

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2014 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Geneseo IL Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182A Non-Fatal Geneseo, IL July 2, 2014

The pilot was on final approach when the engine started to run out of fuel. She said her boss
had a similar problem on a previous flight, and had to correct for it by pitching the nose up and
down to force fuel into the fuel lines. The pilot recalled pitching the nose up and down but
nothing after that. A witness, who saw the airplane pitching up and down several times before
it impacted the ground, responded to the crash. He noted that the fuel selector was set to the
"both" position and no fuel was leaking from either fuel tank’s gas cap. When the
airplane was righted, the witness said he saw several gallons of fuel drain from the left tank but
not the right tank. When he visually checked the right fuel tank, it was empty. The left tank had
about 9 gallons (about 6.5 gallons usable) still in the tank. A postaccident examination of the
airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the airplane sustained
substantial damage to the firewall, forward engine mounts, right wing and vertical stabilizer
and rudder. About 6 gallons of fuel was drained from the left wing tank and the right tank was
empty. A review of the terrain where the airplane impacted the ground revealed the vegetation
around the left tank was discolored from fuel, but the area around the right tank was not. No
pre mishap mechanical discrepancies were noted with the engine or airplane that would have
precluded normal operation.

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2013 Boulder C-182 CO Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182 Non-Fatal Boulder, CO September 1, 2013

The pilot reported that he had flown a group of skydivers to altitude for an intentional
parachute jump about 3 miles north of the airport and was returning for landing at the time of
the accident. The airplane was on final approach when the engine lost power. The pilot’s
attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, and he ditched the airplane into a lake
short of the runway. The pilot reported using carburetor heat during the descent; however, the
pilot did not periodically apply engine power (clear the engine) during the descent. According
to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, Pilot Precautions and Procedures to be Taken in Preventing
Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Induction System and Fuel System Icing Problems, "Heat
should be applied for a short time to warm the induction system before beginning a prolonged
descent with the engine throttled and left on during the descent. Power lever advancement
should be performed periodically during descent to assure that power recovery can be
achieved." A postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent
with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Local weather conditions were conducive to the
formation of carburetor icing.

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2013 C-182 Freemont Fuel Exhaustion MI Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182C Non-Fatal Freemont, MI May 18, 2013

The pilot reported that the purpose of the accident flight was to release four skydivers at
10,500 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot reported that, before the accident flight, he used a
calibrated dipstick to determine how much fuel was on board the airplane. The left and right
fuel tanks contained 10 and 5 gallons of fuel, respectively. He noted that the skydiving flight
typically took a single pass over the landing zone, which required about 20 to 25 minutes of
flight time and 8 gallons of fuel; however, the accident flight required two passes over the
landing zone at 10,500 feet msl, which added about 2 to 5 minutes to the accident flight. He
reported that the flight climbed to 10,500 feet msl and the skydivers were released without any
anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot immediately initiated a descent to
reenter the traffic pattern at the departure airport, and the airplane experienced a loss of
engine power while on the downwind leg. A helicopter was approaching the airport at a similar
altitude, which delayed the turn onto the base leg. Believing he had insufficient altitude to
reach the runway, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The nose landing gear
collapsed shortly after touchdown, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Following the
accident, the pilot reported to several individuals that the airplane "ran out of fuel,"
which resulted in the loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern. Additionally, the pilot
stated that there were no mechanical issues with the engine before the loss of engine power.
During a postaccident examination, 3.5 gallons of fuel were recovered from the airplane.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, the airplane has 3 gallons of unusable fuel
while operating in level flight and 10 gallons of unusable fuel while in flight attitudes other
than level flight; therefore, the airplane did not have enough fuel for the accident flight.

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2012 C-182 Farmingdale Fuel Exhaustion NJ Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182A Non-Fatal Farmingdale, NJ July 21, 2012

The pilot was returning to the airport after dropping off parachutists at 9,000 feet. He said that
the flight lasted about 30 minutes, and as he turned onto final approach in the traffic pattern,
he pulled the throttle back, and the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing in
a field, and the airplane struck some power poles lying on the ground, resulting in substantial
damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no
evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal
operation. Only residual fuel was recovered from the wing tanks, and there was no fuel in the
line from the tanks to the engine. The pilot stated that he should have monitored his fuel
gauges more closely.

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2012 C-182 CA Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine Watsonville

C-182 Non-Fatal Watsonville, CA June 24, 2012

The pilot stated that he departed the airport for the 15-minute skydiving flight with about 20
gallons of fuel onboard. After completing a jump run, he was returning to the airport and
maneuvered the airplane on final approach. When the airplane was about 3 miles from the
runway and about 1,200 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a partial loss of
power. The pilot configured the airplane for the best glide speed, and, shortly thereafter, the
engine quit producing any power. The airplane subsequently collided with trees in an orchard
about 600 yards from the approach end of the runway.

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2011 C-208 Caravan Fuel Exhaustion Mesquite Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine NV

C-208 Non-Fatal Mesquite, NV December 17, 2011

Prior to the flight, the pilot fueled the airplane with 16 gallons of jet fuel. He planned to make two local flights carrying skydivers aloft. During the second skydiving flight, he delayed releasing the skydivers due to traffic in the area. As he turned the airplane back toward the drop zone, the airplane’s engine experienced a total loss of power.

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2011 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine OK Skiatook

C-182A Non-Fatal Skiatook, OK October 12, 2011

The pilot reported that he was descending to land after his final flight of the day. The airplane was about 1,500 to 1,700 feet above ground level and about 1.25 miles from the airport when the engine lost total power. The pilot made an emergency landing to an open field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

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2011 C-182 Dandridge Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine TN

C-182 Non-Fatal Dandridge, TN July 30, 2011

The pilot stated that he fueled the airplane for two flights with skydivers and thirty minutes of reserve fuel. He further stated that during the second approach he had to adjust his intended flight path for other airplane traffic. Then, as the pilot decreased the pitch of the airplane on final approach, the engine sputtered and lost power.

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2011 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Lesage Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine WV

C-182A Non-Fatal Lesage, WV April 10, 2011

The pilot flew four skydiving flights without refueling. On the last flight, after the skydivers exited the airplane, the pilot initiated a descent and the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot knew he could not make it back to the airport and made a forced landing to a gravel area.

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2008 C-182 Elizabethtown Fuel Exhaustion KY Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182A Non-Fatal Elizabethtown, KY August 30, 2008

The airplane was fueled before the pilot’s first flight that day. A total of 6.0 gallons of fuel were added to each fuel tank. After fueling, the pilot dipped each fuel tank using the provided dipstick, and determined that each tank contained between 7.0 and 7.5 gallons of usable fuel. He then flew one load of skydivers, returned, and attempted to secure the engine for fueling but was pressured by company personnel that he had enough fuel to make the second flight and that he needed to keep the airplane operating.

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2008 C-182 CT Danielson Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182A Non-Fatal Danielson, CT August 27, 2008

The pilot flew nine skydiving flights on the day of the accident in the Cessna 182A. Each flight was approximately 30 minutes in duration. The airplane was refueled after approximately every other flight with about 12 gallons of fuel. Prior to takeoff for the tenth and final flight of the day, the pilot thought he had about 16 gallons of fuel in the airplane; however, he did not visually confirm how much fuel was in the tanks and could not remember what the fuel gauges indicated.

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2007 Aricebo C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine Puerto Rico

C-182 Non-Fatal Aricebo, PR July 25, 2007

The commercial pilot was climbing the airplane with four skydivers aboard when the engine lost power. The pilot told the skydivers to jump when he could not restart the engine, and they all jumped successfully without injury. The pilot made a forced landing short of the departure runway, and the airplane collided with small trees, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

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2007 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion MA Marstons Mills Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182A Non-Fatal Marstons Mill, MA May 5, 2007

The pilot checked the fuel quantity with a wooden stick and estimated 21 gallons of fuel was onboard for the parachute flight. The takeoff and climb to 10,000 feet msl, and release of the jumpers, was normal. On the return to the airport, while on the turn to base leg, the engine lost power.

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2005 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion ID Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine Star

C-182A Non-Fatal Star, ID June 25, 2005

The airplane lost engine power and collided with terrain during the forced landing. Prior to the second flight of the day the pilot fueled the airplane’s right wing with approximately 8 gallons of fuel, bringing the total fuel load for the flight to approximately 20 or 21 gallons. The operator of the skydiving operation said that he instructed his pilots to fuel the aircraft after each flight to 21 gallons for a load of 3 or 4 people, and to 19 gallons for a load of 2 people.

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2004 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine SC Walterboro

C-182A Non-Fatal Walterboro, SC July 10, 2004

The pilot stated that after skydivers exited the aircraft, he began a descent from 10,500 feet msl in the direction of the airport. He stated that upon reaching 2000 feet msl, he enriched the mixture, and the engine lost power. He stated he elected to land on a nearby road. The airplane collided with a pick-up truck and departed the road to the right.

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2004 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion NM Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine Santa Teresa

C-182E Non-Fatal Santa Teresa, NM May 22, 2004

The pilot told an FAA inspector that he had completed an air drop of skydivers at 14,000 feet and was returning to land. During the descent, the engine quit. The pilot initially thought it was due to carburetor ice, but then realized that he ran “out of fuel.” The pilot was forced to land the airplane short of the runway.

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2002 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Hartwood Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine VA

C-182B Non-Fatal Hartwood, VA October 18, 2002

Approximately 1 hour into flight, the engine lost all power, and the pilot attempted a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a tree located at the approach end of the field. The pilot initially reported that he departed with 2 inches of fuel in each tank, with the intention of flying 1 hour.

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2002 C-182 CA Ellington Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine

C-182B Non-Fatal Ellington, CT June 24, 2002

After the parachutists jumped, the airplane was descending through 9,000 feet msl, and the engine lost partial power. The pilot verified that carburetor heat was on, the cowl flaps were closed, the fuel selector was positioned to “Both,” and the mixture was rich. She continued descending and entered a left traffic pattern for the runway. The pilot initially judged her pattern distance based on the available engine power.

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2002 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Moneta Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine VA

C-182C Non-Fatal Moneta, VA March 24, 2002

After releasing parachutists, the pilot planned to return to the airport. During the descent, about 2,500 feet msl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot thought that carburetor ice caused the power loss, and performed emergency procedures, which included the application of carburetor heat. The engine did not regain power, and the pilot planned an emergency landing to a field.

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2001 C-182 Fuel Exhaustion Non-Fatal Non-Fatal Single-Engine Salado TX

C-182 Non-Fatal Salado, TX Aug. 18, 2001

After the sky divers exited the airplane at 12,000 feet, the engine lost power while the airplane was descending through 10,000 feet. The pilot switched fuel tanks and engine power was reestablished. The engine again lost power at 4,000 feet and the pilot attempted a forced landing at his home base airport.

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