# NTSB CEN10CA081: Cessna 182P, N21177, Bowie, TX, December 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 25, 2009, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Bowie, TX - Coordinates: 33.601112, -97.771942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6011&lon=-97.7719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 75205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75205/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75205 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA081 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to properly secure the right wing fuel cap and monitor the available fuel supply. ## 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 management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2075816), [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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot topped off both fuel tanks (40 gallons each) prior to departing on a cross-country flight in his single-engine airplane. The pilot stated that he had difficulty securing the fuel cap on the right wing tank. About 2 hours into the flight, with the fuel selector on the left tank, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot noted that the left fuel gauge read empty and he attempted to switch tanks. He was unable to re-start the engine and made a forced landing to a deeply snow-covered field. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the wings, firewall, and fuselage. In addition, both wing fuel tanks were empty and the fuel cap on the right wing was missing. ## Factual narrative The private pilot topped off both fuel tanks (40 gallons each) prior to departing on a cross country flight in his single-engine airplane. The pilot stated that he had difficulty securing the fuel cap on the right wing tank after refueling. About 2-hours into the flight, with the fuel selector on the left tank, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot noted that the left fuel guage read empty and he attempted to switch tanks. He was unable to re-start the engine and made a forced landing to a deeply snow-covered field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, firewall, and fuselage. In addition, both wing fuel tanks were found empty and the fuel cap on the right wing was missing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21177](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21177-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 18261466 (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: 18261466 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Moore Harold D - Registered owner: Moore Harold D - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 1TA7, Canton, TX - Destination: Altus, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 1,212 total, 135 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20091225053639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091225053639A), Dec 25, 2009: Cessna 182P, Ringgold, TX, Substantial damage. On December 25, 2009, at 0900 CST, a Cessna 182P, N21177, owned by harold d. moore, [privacy data omitted], had an accident while on a pleasure flight to… ## Other investigations on N21177 (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 OAK73DVA44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVA44), Jan 31, 1973: Cessna 182 (N21177), Indepndence, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75205. 422 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation-Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Pilot-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. --- 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.