# NTSB ATL88LA221: Cessna 182A, N4090D, Elberta, AL, July 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1988, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Elberta, AL
- Coordinates: 31.310668, -85.490531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3107&lon=-85.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM ELBERTA, AL, TO DESTIN, FL & RETURN.  THE FLT INCLUDED 4 EN ROUTE STOPS TO PICK UP & DROP OFF PAX.  DURING AN EN ROUTE STOP, THE PLT CHECKED THE FUEL BY USING A HOME MADE DIP STICK & HE THOUGHT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO REACH THE FINAL DESTN.  HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T KNOW THE GALLON EQUIVALENT PER INCH OF FUEL.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION BEFORE THE PLT REACHED THE DESTN ARPT. HE SELECTED THE MOST SUITABLE AREA FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE NOSE GEAR DUG INTO SOFT/WET  TERRAIN  &  THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4090D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34790
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Freeflight Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 81J, DESTIN, FL
- Destination: 58J, ELBERTA, AL
- Airport: 58J, Horak Field, runway 18, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,590 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,321 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 20 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 19880728031819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880728031819A), Jul 28, 1988: Cessna 182A, Elberta, AL, Substantial damage. Ran out of usable fuel. Crash landed.

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.

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