Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182A near Farmingdale, NJ — 2012-07-21

Final reportERA12LA470
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Date
2012-07-21
Location
Farmingdale, NJ, USA
Airport
BLM
Aircraft
CESSNA 182A
Registration
N2166G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have monitored fuel levels more closely during flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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