# NTSB ANC25LA013: Cessna 182B, N7143E, Waimea, HI, December 23, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 23, 2024, 11:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Waimea, HI · Open field - Coordinates: 19.988556, -155.67623 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.9886&lon=-155.6762&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 199472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199472/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199472 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA013 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate monitoring of the fuel status while en route, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Workload management: task scheduling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064010/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was a flight instructor, seated in the left seat, stated that while approaching their destination airport during the non-instructional flight, the engine “sputtered” and lost all power due to fuel starvation. The pilot made a forced landing into an open field short of the runway. During the forced landing roll, the airplane impacted a herd of sheep and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination revealed no abnormalities with the airplane’s fuel system or engine that would have prevented normal operation. However, the wings had been removed and any fuel onboard was discarded before the postaccident examination of the wreckage. The pilot reported they departed with 70 gallons of fuel in the airplane. The student pilot-rated passenger, seated in the right seat, reported the pilot stated they had three hours of fuel onboard for the two-hour flight. Both pilots reported that the fuel selector was in the BOTH position and that, after the accident, the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank still contained fuel. The pilot stated that the engine lost total power due to fuel starvation. The pilot likely did not monitor the fuel quantity during the flight. Had the fuel quantity gauges been monitored, the pilot would have recognized the imbalance. ## Factual narrative On December 23, 2024, about 1100 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Cessna 182B airplane, N7143E, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Waimea, Hawaii. The pilot and student pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 non-instructional personal flight. The pilot, seated in the left seat, who was also a flight instructor, reported that while en route to the destination airport, the engine “sputtered” and then lost all power due to fuel starvation. The pilot then selected an open field short of the runway as a forced landing site. After landing, during the landing roll, the airplane impacted a herd of sheep, and the nose wheel collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot-rated passenger, seated in the right seat, reported that they were about two hours into the flight, and had almost reached their destination, circling over the city in a left-hand turn. The engine then “hiccupped” and they made a forced landing into a field short of the runway. The student pilot-rated passenger reported that there were no unusual smells or sounds before the engine problem. During the landing roll out, about 50 yards, he said the nose wheel collapsed. After landing they examined the fuel tanks with the airplane in a nose-low attitude and found sufficient fuel in the right-wing fuel tank but could not see any fuel in the left-wing fuel tank. The student pilot-rated passenger reported that he did not remember the pilot conducting a predeparture fuel check or checking the fuel tank indicators in the cockpit during the flight. Before takeoff, the student pilot-rated passenger asked how much fuel the pilot put into the airplane for the flight; she told him that she added three hours of fuel and that the flight would be only two hours long. The student pilot-rated passenger felt comfortable with that answer and fuel was never discussed again until after the accident. After the accident, the fuel selector was found in the “both” position and the student pilot-rated passenger does not remember seeing it moved in flight. The pilot reported they departed with 70 gallons of fuel in the airplane. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Honolulu Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) revealed the wings had been removed and any fuel discarded before his arrival. Engine control continuity was established from the cockpit to the engine. The fuel selector was tested and operated normally, and fuel vents were clear of obstructions. Fuel was found in the fuel line from the gascolator to the carburetor and in the carburetor bowl. The engine’s crankshaft turned freely by hand with no abnormal noises heard. Thumb compression was observed in all cylinders. A click from the magneto impulse coupler could be heard at the top of dead center of each cylinder during rotation. Visual inspection ofthe engine’s exterior showed no abnormalities. No anomalies were identified with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7143E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7143E), registered now, S/N 52143, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B - Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52143 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 6178.8 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pfisters Flying Wahine LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2024, 73 hours before - Departed: HDH, Mokileia, HI - Destination: HMU, Waimea-Kohala, HI - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 9,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: PHSF, 15 nm away - METAR: PHSF 232055Z AUTO 12020G25KT 10SM CLR 20/07 A3045 RMK AO2 PK WND 11027/24 SLP204 T01990066 50001 $ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20241223020969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241223020969A), Dec 23, 2024: Cessna 182B, Waimea, HI, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed home station of dillingham airfield (phdh) on the morning of 23 December 2024 at approximately 0900 local HST. Aircraft performed touch and… ## Other investigations on N7143E (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB FTW79DQG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DQG03), Oct 9, 1978: Cessna 182B (N7143E), Ozona, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199472. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18225613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA013%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18224103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA013%20Combine%20interviews-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18223822&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA013%20Photo-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18224046&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA013%20Wreckage%20examination-Rel.pdf - Wreckage release (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18223342&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA013%20Wreckage%20release_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.