# NTSB ATL99LA128: Cessna 182P, N78092, Collegedale, TN, September 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1999, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Collegedale, TN - Coordinates: 35.049118, -85.050323 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0491&lon=-85.0503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47352 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47352/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to secure the fuel cap which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. A factor was the collision with a fence post. ## 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 - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - fuel system,cap - not secured (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while approaching Collegedale Airport, he noticed the fuel level was getting low. The left fuel gauge indicated the tank was almost empty, while the right fuel gauge still indicated a quarter tank. While preparing for a visual approach to runway 21, the engine sputtered and then lost power. He immediately turned toward runway 21 and attained best glide airspeed. At this time, he observed that he would not be able to reach the runway. He made a forced landing in a field adjacent to the airport and collided with a large fence post. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing fuel cap was missing. The right side of the airplane fuselage beyond the rear window and along the side of the tail cone had blue streaks in a similar color to 100 octane low lead aviation fuel. Examination of the filler ports and fuel caps disclosed no failures to these components. The fuel cap was found on the runway at the Collegedale Airport. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1999, at 1945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N78092, collided with a fence post during a forced landing in Collegedale, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Dalton, Georgia, at approximately 1915 enroute to Collegedale Airport. According to the pilot, he departed Collegedale Airport and flew to Hardwick Airport in Cleveland, Tennessee, and then on to Dalton Airport in Dalton, Georgia. While approaching Collegedale Airport on the return flight, he noticed the fuel level was getting low. The fuel gauges for both the left and right tanks were indicating less than a quarter tank. As he approached the airport, the left fuel gauge indicated the tank was almost empty, while the right fuel gauge still indicated a quarter tank. While preparing for a visual approach to runway 21 at Collegedale, the engine sputtered. He pulled the carburetor heat on and the engine responded by running smoothly for approximately ten seconds and then lost all power. He immediately turned toward runway 21 and attained best glide airspeed. At this time, he was north of runway 21 and observed that he would not be able to reach the runway. He made a forced landing in a field adjacent to the airport and collided with a large fence post. According to the FAA, examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing fuel cap was missing. The right side of the airplane fuselage extending beyond the rear window and along the side of the tail cone had blue streaks similar in color to 100 octane low lead aviation fuel. Examination of the filler ports and fuel caps disclosed no failures to these components. The fuel cap was found on the runway at the Collegedale Airport. According to the FAA, the airplane had approximately 3 hours of fuel on board at initial departure from Collegedale Airport. The flight duration was approximately 1.1 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78092](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78092), registered now, S/N 18261748, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182-61748 - Airframe hours: 5586 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Specialists - Registered owner: Cosgrove Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1999, 4 hours before - Departed: DNN, DALTON, GA - Destination: 3M3, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 2 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CHA, 10 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 19990909030819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990909030819A), Sep 9, 1999: Cessna 182P, Collegedale, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) This aircraft experienced an engine stopage due to fuel exhaustion. Upon examination, the reporting inspector found the right hand fuel cap missing. The… 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.