# NTSB ATL87LA217: Cessna 182A, N169DP, Warm Springs, GA, July 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1987, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Warm Springs, GA
- Coordinates: 32.879867, -84.670166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8799&lon=-84.6702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA217

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PIC DPTED, INTENDING TO FLY 0.5 HOURS ON TACH. ACFT HAD 11 GALS OF FUEL, 5 IN LEFT TANK & 6 IN RIGHT TANK. PIC MADE LEFT CLIMBING SPIRAL TO 9000 FEET AND MANEUVERED IN LEFT TURN AROUND AIRPORT. ON A LONG STAIGHT IN, FINAL APPCH ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 500 FEET AGL. ACFT HIT TREES SHORT OF RWY, STALLED, & HIT GROUND IN NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. FUEL SELECTOR LEFT IN BOTH POSITION DURING FLT. AFTER CRASH RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS DRY & LEFT TANK HAD 5 GAL. OWNERS MANUAL NOTES THAT UNEQUAL FUEL CONSUMPTION MAY OCCUR IF WINGS ARE NOT LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N169DP), registered now, S/N 34979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34979
- Airframe hours: 3970
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470L 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brooks, William T
- Registered owner: Duncan, James  T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1987, 63 hours before
- Airport: 5A9, Roosevelt Memorial, runway 17, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 274 total, 10 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 89 nm away

## 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 19870718035239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870718035239A), Jul 18, 1987: Cessna 182A, Warm Springs, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final approach. Hit top of trees. Mushing stall. Hit ground nose down.

## Other investigations on N169DP (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 NYC08CA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA295), Aug 27, 2008: Cessna 182A (N169DP), Danielson, CT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot’s inadequate fuel consumption calculations.

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.