Pilot Debrief

Cessna 185 near Lovelock, NV — 2018-08-05

Final reportGAA18CA468
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Date
2018-08-05
Location
Lovelock, NV, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Registration
N9867X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, he descended the airplane due to strong winds and determined that the airplane had about 10.9 gallons of fuel remaining, which he equated to about 1 hour of flight. He added that, about 6 miles from the destination airport, the airplane "ran out of gas" and that the engine lost power. He performed a forced landing on a field, and, during the landing flare, the left main landing gear impacted a berm near the edge of the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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