Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182E near Middletown Springs, VT — 2013-09-21

Final reportERA13CA427
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Date
2013-09-21
Location
Middletown Springs, VT, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182E
Registration
N3152Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

The airplane departed from a private airport that did not have fuel available for purchase. The pilot reported that he elected to refuel while en route to his destination instead of other airports located near the departure airport. The pilot further reported that upon reaching the airport that he intended to refuel at, he found it was closed and diverted to another airport. At that time, he noticed that the airplane's fuel gauge needles were "bouncing off empty." The airplane subsequently experienced a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and had he received a full weather briefing prior to the flight, he would have known about the closed airport and planned accordingly.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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