Pilot Debrief

CESSNA TR182 near Tuba City, AZ — 2025-07-17

Investigation ongoingWPR25LA217
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Date
2025-07-17
Location
Tuba City, AZ, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA TR182
Registration
N182KC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On July 17, 2025, about 1447 mountain standard time, a Cessna TR182, N182KC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tuba City, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed with 62 gallons of fuel onboard and that he had verified the fuel quantity multiple times with a calibrated dipstick prior to departure. While enroute, and after switching to the right tank, which indicated about 31 gallons at the time, the engine began to run rough and sputter. He attempted to switch to BOTH fuel tanks, but the engine continued to sputter. The pilot activated the fuel boost pump, which displayed no fuel pressure at which time the engine lost all power. He executed a forced landing to the side of road to avoid vehicular traffic and with the landing gear stowed due to rough terrain. During landing the airplane belly contacted the ground, which substantially damaged the right wing and left elevator. Postaccident examination of the fuel tanks revealed that they were both empty; however, the pilot suspected a leak in the fuel delivery system. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Fuel exhaustion · Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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