# NTSB CEN12CA016: Cessna 182A, N6171B, Skiatook, OK, October 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2011, 18:48 local (23:48 UTC) - Place: Skiatook, OK - Coordinates: 36.36972, -96.007225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3697&lon=-96.0072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Oklahoma City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82050 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82050/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82050 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA016 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel management. ## 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 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) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Approach: 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) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was descending to land after his final flight of the day. The airplane was about 1,500 to 1,700 feet above ground level and about 1.25 miles from the airport when the engine lost total power. The pilot made an emergency landing to an open field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the fuel gauges were unreliable, that he had incorrectly estimated the fuel quantity remaining, and that the loss of engine power was due to him running out of fuel. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed 1 to 2 gallons of fuel remaining in each fuel tank. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he had dropped a group of skydivers and was descending to land after his final flight of the day. The airplane was about 1,500 to 1,700 feet above ground level, and about 1 1/4 miles from the airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot made an emergency off field landing to an open field and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the fuel gauges were unreliable and he had incorrectly estimated the fuel quantity remaining. He also reported that he thought the loss of engine power was due to him running out of fuel. A postaccident examination of the airplane showed 1 to 2 gallons of fuel remaining in each fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6171B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6171B-2012-05-15), registration cancelled 2012-05-15, S/N 34171, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34171 - Airframe hours: 3988 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Skydive Airtight - Registered owner: Skydive Airtight - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 2011, 55 hours before - Departed: 2F6, Skiatook, OK - Destination: 2F6, Skiatook, OK - Airport: 2F6, Skiatook Municipal Airport, runway 17, 2,900 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 330 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: KTUL, 12 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 20111012026329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111012026329A), Oct 12, 2011: Cessna 182A, Skiatook, OK, Substantial damage. Pilot was returning to airport after dropping skydivers. Pilot stated engine sputtered and stopped. Pilot stated he had run out of fuel.PIC attempted to make… ## Other investigations on N6171B (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 NYC89LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA165), Jul 14, 1989: Cessna 182A (N6171B), Lancaster, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82050. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Maps (item 3, .PDF, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356085&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 4, .PDF, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies - Police Department (item 5, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%20-%20Police%20Department-Redacted.PDF - Internet Pages for Skydive Airtight (item 6, .PDF, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Internet%20Pages%20for%20Skydive%20Airtight-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.