# NTSB BFO85FA023: Cessna 182, N6388A, Frederick, MD, March 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1985, 21:17 local (Mar 4, 1985, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Coordinates: 39.420356, -77.409805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4204&lon=-77.4098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,tank - distorted (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT AT 7500 FT THE RPM STARTED TO DECREASE UNTIL THE PLT STATED THAT 'IT WAS JUST LIKE YOU RAN OUT OF GAS.' THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A WOODEN PWRLINE POLE DURING THE NIGHT FORCED LNDG AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ABOUT 20 GALLONS OF RED AVGAS IN THE RT TANK AND 1 GALLON IN THE LEFT TANK. APRX 3 OZS OF LIQUID WERE DRAINED FROM THE CARB WHICH ANALYSIS CONCLUDED THE MAJORITY OF IT TO BE WATER. MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT WING TANK SUMP DRAINS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN MAY OF 1983 AND AND THE AD DEALING WITH WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM CAUSED BY WRINKLES/FOLDS IN THE TANK BLADDERS HAD BEEN SIGNED OFF IN SEPTEMBER 1984. THE MECHANIC THAT PERFORMED THE WORK WAS CONTACTED AND STATED HE FOUND NO WRINKLES THAT WOULD JUSTIFY INSTALLATION OF THE CESSNA DRAIN KIT DESCRIBED IN SERVICE LETTER SE84-9. EXAMINATION OF THE BLADDER TANKS REVEALED WRINKLES/FOLDS IN THE VICINITY OF BOTH OUTLETS FEEDING FUEL TO THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6388A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6388A-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 33188, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33188
- Airframe hours: 3437
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Garner
- Registered owner: Paul L. Myers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 8 hours before
- Departed: 2G4, OAKLAND, MD
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 678 total, 39 in this make and model, 608 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 33 nm away

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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