# NTSB CEN17LA044: Cessna 182P, N7392Q, Bridgeport, TX, November 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 23, 2016, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.175277, -97.82833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1753&lon=-97.8283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Flight Standards, Textron Aviation, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 94448 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94448/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94448 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA044 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly position the fuel selector before takeoff, which resulted a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/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) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [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) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/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 pilot reported that the takeoff was "normal" until about 200 ft above ground level, when the engine "suddenly stopped completely." Her efforts to restore engine power were not successful, and she executed a forced landing straight ahead. The airplane touched down "hard" in a pasture off the end of the runway and impacted a row of trees before coming to a stop. A witness that responded to the accident site stated that the fuel selector was in the off position. A responding law enforcement officer stated that both the pilot and passenger independently informed him that they believed the fuel selector was in the "wrong" position during takeoff. A postrecovery examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction; therefore, it is likely that the engine experienced a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 2016, about 1115 central standard time, a Cessna 182P airplane, N7392Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff from runway 36 (4,004 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport (XBP), Bridgeport, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Skypartners LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight had originated shortly before the accident.The pilot reported that they departed Hutchinson Regional Airport (HUT) about 0827. The intended destination was the New Braunfels Regional Airport (BAZ), with a planned fuel stop at XBP. After fueling the airplane at XBP, she obtained an IFR clearance to BAZ. The takeoff was "normal" until about 200 ft above ground level when the engine "suddenly stopped completely." Her efforts to restore engine power were not successful and she executed a forced landing straight ahead. The airplane touched down "hard" in the pasture off the end of the runway and impacted a row of trees before coming to a stop. The passenger reported that the takeoff proceeded "uneventfully" and the engine ran "smoothly." However, shortly after takeoff as the airplane neared the end of the runway, the engine lost power. The airplane landed "very hard" in the grass beyond the end of the runway and struck trees. A witness reported that the airplane first touched down about 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway in the middle of a field. The airplane subsequently bounced, touched down again, and impacted a tree. The propeller separated after the airplane contacted the tree. He responded to the accident site and observed the fuel selector in the Off position at that time. He noted that fuel was pouring from the right-wing fuel tank. The responding Texas Highway Patrol Trooper stated that both the pilot and passenger independently informed him that they believed the fuel selector was in the "wrong" position during takeoff. They had stopped for fuel and did not reset the selector prior to departure. The accident site was located about 500 yards north of the runway 36 departure threshold, according to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to scene. A postrecovery examination of the airplane was conducted by an FAA inspector, with technical assistance from representatives of the airframe and engine manufacturers. No anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7392Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7392Q-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 18261032, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P (P) - 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: 18261032 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 4551 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470-F(37) 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2016, 68 hours before - Departed: XBP, Bridgeport, TX - Destination: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: XBP, Bridgeport Muni, runway 36, 4,004 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 646 total, 439 in this make and model, 541 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: XBP, 1 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 20161123018759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161123018759A), Nov 23, 2016: Cessna 182P, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. On November 23, 2016 at approximately 1100 local, N7392Q departed runway 36 at Bridgeport Municipal Airport (xbp). The pilot touched down in a cow pasture… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94448. 7.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Report Photos (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20Photos-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records - Airframe (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459355&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Airframe-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records - Engine (item 6, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Engine-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records - Propeller (item 7, .PDF, 711 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary - Texas Highway Patrol Trooper (item 8, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20-%20Texas%20Highway%20Patrol%20Trooper-Master.PDF - Surface Weather Observations - KXBP (item 9, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Surface%20Weather%20Observations%20-%20KXBP-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.