# NTSB CHI94LA197: Cessna 182, N94752, Millstadt, IL, June 12, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1994, 14:26 local (19:26 UTC) - Place: Millstadt, IL - Coordinates: 38.450401, -90.090705 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4504&lon=-90.0907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA197 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight inspection and failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. Related factors are the loose fuel cap (siphoning) and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,cap - loose (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - siphoning (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH EXTENDED RANGE FUEL TANKS (80 GALLONS CAPACITY, 75, GALLONS USABLE FUEL), AND WAS TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL BEFORE DEPARTURE. HIS CALCULATIONS INDICATED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE (ESTIMATED) FIVE HOUR FLIGHT, PLUS ONE HOUR RESERVE. THE PILOT REPORTED ALMOST FIVE HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE CUT OUT, RESTARTED BRIEFLY, THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD ABOUT 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF USABLE FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE FUEL STREAKS ON THE RIGHT WING AND REPORTED A 'FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE (SIPHONED).' AN FAA INSPECTOR WHO INSPECTED THE AIRPLANE OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE INTACT AND THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED EMPTY. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1994, about 1426 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, N94752, piloted on the pleasure flight by the private pilot/registered owner's son, sustained substantial damage when it hit a pothole during a forced landing in a bean field near Millstadt, Illinois. The pilot reported serious injuries, the one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Valdosta, Georgia, at 0937. The intended destination was Parks Downtown Airport (CPS) at Cahokia, Illinois. The pilot stated he observed as the airplane was refueled prior to departure. He reported the fuel quantity gauges indicated full tanks. He stated the airplane was equipped with extended range fuel tanks, for a total fuel capacity of 80 gallons, with 75 gallons useable. The pilot's fuel consumption calculations indicated there was sufficient fuel for the estimated five hour flight, plus one hour reserve at normal cruise. The pilot stated almost 5 hours after the airplane departed Valdosta, "...the engine cut out....restarted and ran again for a short period, and then stopped." The airplane nosed down during the forced landing in a field approximately 8 miles southeast of the destination airport. Postaccident investigation revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomaly, and no evidence of useable fuel within the fuel system. The pilot stated when he examined the airplane after the accident, "...there were fuel streaks on the right wing that had not been there before, and indicated a fuel system failure (siphoned)." The pilot's father/airplane owner stated he and his son typically did not climb up on the wing to inspect the fuel caps during the preflight inspection. The FAA Inspector stated the fuel caps did not appear loose, had good seals, and fuel cap vents installed in accordance with the applicable AD note. The FAA Inspector's statement is appended. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94752](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94752-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 18266501, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 - 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: 18266501 - Airframe hours: 1472 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Becker, Joseph J. And Ann E. - Registered owner: Becker, Joseph J. & Ann E. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1993, 99 hours before - Departed: VAD, VALDOSTA, GA - Destination: CPS, CAHOKIA, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 32 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CPS, 8 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 19940612015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940612015249A), Jun 12, 1994: Cessna 182Q, Millstadt, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit near destination. Nosed up on forced landing. No useable fuel on board. Fuel caps secure. 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.