# NTSB BFO85FA026: Cessna 182P, N52581, Laurel, MD, March 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1985, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Laurel, MD
- Coordinates: 39.100738, -76.879173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1007&lon=-76.8792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA026

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object

## Analysis

WHILE ON A RETURN FLIGHT FROM MORRISVILLE,VT THE ACFT LOST PWR AND THE PIC ELECTED TO LAND IN A CUL-DE-SAC IM A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CONTAINED LESS THAN 1 GALLON OF FUEL. BOTH PLTS HAD DPTD PXT 4 DAYS PRIOR AND STOPPED ENROUTE TO PICK UP THEIR WIVES. FIVE GALLONS OF FUEL HAD BEEN DRAINED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO INSURE THE PROPER WT AND BALANCE. AFTER ARRIVING AT MVL THE PILOTS READ THE GUAGES AND CALCULATED FUEL COMSUMPTION AND ELECTED TO ADD 40 GALLONS OF FUEL. THEY NEVER PHYSICALLY CHECKED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS BFR DEPARTING MVL. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABT 3 HRS LTR FUEL GUAGES WERE ON EMPTY WELL BFR THAT TIME,PLT COULD HAVE LANDED BFR EXHAUSTING THE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52581](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52581-2008-08-14), registration cancelled 2008-08-14, S/N 18262687, 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: 18262687
- Airframe hours: 2507
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Stortz
- Registered owner: Patuxent Navy Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: MVL, MORRISVILLE, VT
- Destination: CGS, COLLEGE PARK, MD
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 470 total, 23 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 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 19850311006509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850311006509A), Mar 11, 1985: Cessna 182P, Laurel, MD, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Failed ascertain sufficient fuel for the flight. Passed up fueling stops.

## Other investigations on N52581 (2)

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.

- [NTSB SEA07LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA234), Aug 14, 2007: Cessna 182P (N52581), Nampa, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to the carburetor throat becoming obstructed with paint that had pealed off of the induction air inlet channel in an area where paint should not have been applied.…
- [NTSB IAD77FIA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FIA06), Dec 11, 1976: Cessna 182 (N52581), Friendly, MD, substantial damage

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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