# NTSB ATL90LA079: Cessna 182N, N92785, Tuscaloosa, AL, March 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1990, 15:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.229595, -87.540222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2296&lon=-87.5402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA079

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND ENGINE STOPPAGE.

## 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE DESCENT FOR LANDING, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT SUDDENLY. THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED ABOUT FOUR HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH FUEL HE HAD ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE POWER LOSS, HE REPLIED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW, HOWEVER HE HAD MADE THE SAME TRIP PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT REFUELING. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, INCLUDING BOTH FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92785-1991-11-19), registration cancelled 1991-11-19, S/N 18260354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18260354
- Airframe hours: 2881
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barwick, Hugh B. Jr.
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1990, 4 hours before
- Departed: ISO, KINSTON, NC
- Destination: TCL, TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosa

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 920 total, 920 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 3 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 19900310014889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900310014889A), Mar 10, 1990: Cessna 182N, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Struck a dirt mound landing in a field. Did not know fuel status at departure.

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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