# NTSB CHI08CA255: Cessna 182C, N8643T, Sparta, IL, August 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2008, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Sparta, IL - Coordinates: 38.148887, -89.698608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1489&lon=-89.6986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68911/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA255 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning which resulted in the failure to assure an adequate fuel supply for the flight and the improper flare during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the ditch that the airplane contacted. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072708), [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 182C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he originally departed Warsaw, Indiana, at about 0730 on the morning of the accident. He stated that the airplane contained approximately 45 gallons of usable fuel. He stated that during the flight the "service oil filter screen" light illuminated, so he diverted. He stated that he removed and cleaned the oil filter screen and changed the oil prior to departing for the Sparta Community Airport (SAR). The pilot stated that he began his descent, and when he reached traffic pattern altitude he attempted to add power to no avail. He stated the fuel gauges were indicating that he still had fuel and the propeller was wind milling prior to it stopping. The pilot initiated an off airport landing in a retail parking lot. The nose gear separated from the airplane resulting in firewall damage, and the left main gear collapsed when the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane then slid into a ditch where it came to rest. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that it came to rest with the right wing higher than the left wing. The right wing did not contain any fuel and the left wing contained less than four gallons of fuel. The gascolator was separated from the airplane due to the impact, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On August 16, at 0940 central daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8643T, collided with the terrain during an off airport forced landing in Sparta, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The personal flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane last departed the Danville-Vermillion County Airport (DNV), Danville, Illinois, at 0845. The pilot reported he originally departed Warsaw, Indiana, at about 0730 on the morning of the accident. He stated the airplane contained approximately 45 gallons of usable fuel. He stated that during the flight the "service oil filter screen" light illuminated, so he diverted to DNV. He stated he removed and cleaned the oil filter screen, and changed the oil prior to departing for the Sparta Community Airport (SAR). The pilot stated he began his descent into SAR using 15 inches of manifold pressure, and when he reached traffic pattern altitude he attempted to add power to no avail. He stated the fuel gauges were indicating that he still had fuel and the propeller was wind milling prior to it stopping. The pilot initiated an off airport landing in a retail parking lot. The nose gear separated from the airplane resulting in firewall damage, and the left main gear collapsed when the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane then slid into a ditch where it came to rest. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that it came to rest with the right wing higher than the left wing. The right wing did not contain any fuel and the left wing contained less than four gallons of fuel. The gascolator was separated from the airplane due to the impact, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8643T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8643T), registered now, S/N 52543 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52543 - Engines: Continental O-470-L reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William B. Stofer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DNV, Danville, IL - Destination: SAR, Sparta, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 230 total, 227 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## 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 20080816846409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080816846409A), Aug 16, 2008: Cessna 182C, Sparta, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft lost power while entering a downwind leg for runway 36 at Sparta, IL airport (sar) and made on off-airport landing in a parking lot. During… 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.