# NTSB CHI05CA166: Cessna 182F, N3184U, Lapeer, MI, June 26, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2005, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Lapeer, MI - Coordinates: 43.049999, -83.283332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0500&lon=-83.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61959/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection due to his failure to physically verify the security of the fuel tank caps, the unsecured fuel tank cap and fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,cap - not secured (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field - Nose gear collapsed, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot stated that after 2 hours total flight time since refueling, the engine "coughed and [stopped] firing." He executed a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. A post-accident inspection revealed that the left fuel tank cap was not secure and was retained only by the safety chain between the cap and the fuel filler port. The right fuel tank cap was secured to the fuel tank filler port. No fuel was present in either fuel tank. The ground under the left fuel tank cap was discolored consistent with a fuel spill over a 12-inch diameter area, to a depth of about 4 inches. A stain consistent in appearance to fuel and several "nick marks" were observed on the upper surface of the left wing aft of the fuel tank filler port. The cockpit fuel selector handle was on the "BOTH" setting when observed after the accident. The pilot stated that he visually inspected the fuel caps from the ground after refueling. He did not physically verify the security of the fuel caps. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 2005, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3184U, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lapeer, Michigan. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Bishop International Airport (FNT), Flint, Michigan, approximately 1845, with an intended destination of Huron County Airport (BAX), Bad Axe, Michigan. The pilot reported that the flight initially departed Door County Airport (SUE), Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and landed at FNT. He then departed FNT en route to BAX. The pilot noted that the airplane was fueled with 36 gallons of 100 octane low-lead aircraft fuel at SUE. He stated that after 2 hours of total flight time since refueling at SUE, the engine "coughed" and stopped "firing." He noted that he executed a forced landing in a cornfield during which the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. A post-accident inspection revealed that the left fuel tank cap was not secure and was retained by the safety chain between the cap and the fuel tank filler port. The right fuel tank cap was secured to the fuel tank filler port. No fuel was present in either fuel tank. The ground under the left fuel tank cap was discolored consistent with a fuel spill over a 12-inch diameter area, to a depth of about 4 inches. A stain consistent in appearance to fuel and several "nick marks" were observed on the upper surface of the left wing aft of the fuel tank filler port. The cockpit fuel selector handle was on the "BOTH" setting when observed after the accident. The pilot stated that he visually inspected the fuel caps from the ground after refueling at SUE. He did not physically verify the security of the fuel caps. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3184U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3184U-2011-01-07), registration cancelled 2011-01-07, S/N 18254584, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182F - Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254584 - Airframe hours: 3795 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005 - Departed: FNT, Flint, MI - Destination: BAX, Bad Axe, MI - Airport: D95, Dupont-Lapeer ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 848 total, 684 in this make and model, 848 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 21 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 20050626024149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050626024149A), Jun 26, 2005: Cessna 182F, Lapeer, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) After departing fnt pilot stated that his engine failed and he was unsuccessful in his attempt at restarting it. He attempted to make an emergency… 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.