# NTSB ATL90LA129: Cessna 182A, N4760D, Hartford, KY, June 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1990, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Hartford, KY
- Coordinates: 37.449436, -86.889053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4494&lon=-86.8891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA129

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## 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 - base turn
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN THE PATTERN FOR LANDING WHEN HIS ENGINE LOST POWER. HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN TREES ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. AN ALTERNATE FUEL SOURCE WAS CONNECTED AND THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TOPPED THE TANKS THE EVENING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, BUT FUEL RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST SERVICED WITH FUEL ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN OVER 18 MONTHS. THE PILOT WAS FLYING WITHOUT A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, AND HE COULD NOT PROVIDE PROOF OF HIS LAST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4760D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4760D-1995-05-13), registration cancelled 1995-05-13, S/N 34860 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34860
- Airframe hours: 4300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bridgeman, George A
- Registered owner: Morgenson & Dobransky Inc, DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 75D, NEW MARTINSVILL, WV
- Airport: 7K4, Ohio County, runway 21, 2,500 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 175 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OWB, 22 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 19900613019989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900613019989A), Jun 13, 1990: Cessna 182A, Hartford, KY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final for landing. Crashed in trees. Pilot not current to fly. Aircraft was out of annual.

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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