# NTSB CEN09CA519: Cessna 182A, N2131G, Watertown, SD, July 31, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2009, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, SD
- Coordinates: 44.910572, -97.160087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9106&lon=-97.1601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA519
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74513/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74513
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA519

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of a fuel tank leak. Contributing to the accident was the reported malfunction of the fuel gauge.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel indication system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had his fuel tanks filled and that he checked them during his preflight prior to departure on a cross country flight. He experienced a loss of engine power about 3.25 hours into the flight and performed a forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted a "hidden gully." The pilot reported, "At the time of the engine failure, the right tank was registering slightly over 1/2 full." According to the pilot the left wing had a stain from gasoline "that had not been there prior to takeoff."

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he had his fuel tanks filled and that he checked them during his preflight prior to departure on a cross country flight. He experienced a loss of engine power about 3.25 hours into the flight and performed a forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted a "hidden gully." The pilot reported, "At the time of the engine failure, the right tank was registering slightly over 1/2 full." According to the pilot the left wing had a stain from gasoline "that had not been there prior to takeoff."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2131G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2131G-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 51431, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51431
- Airframe hours: 3563.44
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2009
- Departed: OSH, Oshkosh, WI
- Destination: POY, Powell, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,144 total, 500 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: ATY

## 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 20090731048899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090731048899A), Jul 31, 2009: Cessna 182A, Watertown, SD, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he was 3.25 hours into a 5 hour flight when the engine quit. He landed in a field 13 se of Watertown, SD. The aircraft received substatntial…

## Other investigations on N2131G (1)

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 DEN93LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA065), Jun 3, 1993: Cessna 182A (N2131G), Stratton, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A FACTOR WAS: MISJUDGING THE DETERIORATING WEATHER.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74513. 857 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 795 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF

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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