# NTSB BFO90LA048: Cessna 182, N2411G, Evans, WV, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1990, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Evans, WV
- Coordinates: 38.799419, -81.799766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7994&lon=-81.7998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA048

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO CARBURETOR FLOAT CHAFFING RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR TO COMPLY WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor float - elongated (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed
  - fuel system,carburetor float - chafed (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON OPEN FIELD, BUT AT 50 FT AGL THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE PLT STARTED CLIMBING, BUT SOON AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE PLT LANDED IN TREES WHERE THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE MOLDED-CELLULAR TYPE CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS CHAFING AGAINST THE INTERNAL WALLS OF ITS CHAMBER. AUTOGAS WAS USED IN THE ACFT. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS IN EFFECT WHICH INDICATED INSTANCES THAT THE MOLDED-CELLULAR TYPE FLOATS HAD ABSORBED FLUID. THE BULLETIN RECOMMENDED CHANGING TO METAL FLOATS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2411G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2411G-2017-06-19), registration cancelled 2017-06-19, S/N 51711, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51711
- Airframe hours: 3229
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: John Bruffey
- Registered owner: Bruffey Flying Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1990, 6 hours before
- Departed: I18, RAVENSWOOD, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,848 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 3,625 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PKB

## 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 19900520016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900520016699A), May 20, 1990: Cessna 182B, Evans, WV, Substantial damage. Engine surged and quit on descent after dropping sky divers. Landed in trees. Water,dirt in fuel.

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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