Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182M near Eufaula, AL — 2021-04-20

Final reportERA21LA190
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Date
2021-04-20
Location
Eufaula, AL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182M
Registration
N91606
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine lost total power. The pilot selected a field for landing, during which the airplane impacted a barbed wire fence, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. Fueling records and flight track information indicated that the airplane was most recently serviced about 4 flight hours before the accident, at which time both 40-gallon fuel tanks were filled to capacity. The airplane’s average fuel consumption rate was about 14 gallons per hour. Examination of the airplane found no fuel in either tank; examination of the accident site revealed fuel blighting of the vegetation and a strong odor of fuel in the soil beneath where the right fuel cap was located. There was no such evidence in the area beneath where the left fuel cap was located. The pilot reported that he departed with the fuel selector positioned to BOTH. Based on estimated fuel consumption calculations and the subsequent discovery of an undetermined amount of fuel spillage, it was likely that sufficient fuel was available for the flight. After recovery of the airplane, an engine start was attempted. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously until the engine was stopped using the cockpit controls. The airplane was sold before the airframe and fuel system examination could be scheduled and before the wreckage was released from the investigation, and it was disassembled by its new owner. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before amending destination to avoid power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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