# NTSB CHI92LA112: Cessna 182Q, N96381, Munising, MI, March 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1992, 20:20 local (Mar 14, 1992, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Munising, MI
- Coordinates: 46.39989, -86.589073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3999&lon=-86.5891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA112

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION TO REMOVE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## 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 - water
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE HAD IN EXCESS OF 32 OUNCES OF WATER DRAINED FROM THE WING TANKS AND CARBURETOR/FUEL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT'S MECHANIC AND THE PILOT IN PREPARATION FOR A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE MECHANIC REPORTED HE DRAINED AND FLUSHED THE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PILOT SAID HE REFUELED THE AIRPLANE WITH 88 GALLONS OF FRESH AV GAS AND WAITED 10-15 MINUTES PRIOR TO CHECKING THE WING AND BELLY SUMPS FOR WATER. HE FOUND NO WATER AND BEGAN HIS FLIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS LATER HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN TREES FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR AND FUEL SYSTEM POST ACCIDENT REVEALED SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF WATER. THE FUEL TANK FROM WHICH THE AIRPLANE WAS REFUELED PRIOR TO FLIGHT WAS FOUND FREE OF SIGNIFICANT CONTAMINATES. WHEN FRESH,UNCONTAMINATED FUEL WAS FED TO THE ENGINE, IT STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96381](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96381-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 18266704, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266704
- Airframe hours: 717
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Olszewski, John N.
- Registered owner: Olszewski, John N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1991, 65 hours before
- Departed: DET, DETROIT CITY, MI
- Destination: CMX, HOUGHTON, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -15 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19920313006339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920313006339A), Mar 13, 1992: Cessna 182Q, Munising, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed in trees. Water in fuel. Prior to flight on deicing water and ice in fuel. Tanks purged

## Other investigations on N96381 (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 CEN16FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA037), Nov 11, 2015: Cessna 182Q (N96381), Richmond, MO, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The airplane's impact with trees and terrain during an off-airport forced landing in dark night conditions following a partial loss of engine power. The reason for the partial loss of engine power…

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.

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