# NTSB CHI95LA319: Cessna 182, N97109, Yale, MI, September 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 1995, 19:03 local (23:03 UTC) - Place: Yale, MI - Coordinates: 43.119571, -82.789756 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1196&lon=-82.7898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10030 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10030/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA319 ## Probable cause loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply leading to fuel exhaustion. The inadvertent stall during the forced landing was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BELIEVED THERE WAS TEN GALLONS OF FUEL IN EACH TANK ACCORDING TO VISUAL AND GAGE READINGS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. AFTER FLYING FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, WHILE ENTERING DOWNWIND, THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED' AND LOST POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD AND 'STALLED' THE AIRPLANE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY WHEN HE EXAMINED THEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE FUEL STRAINER AND CARBURETOR BOWL WERE EMPTY. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 1995, at 1903 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182, N97109, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing in Yale, Michigan. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. One passenger reported no injuries. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated about 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he believed there was ten gallons of fuel in each tank according to visual and gage readings prior to the flight. After flying for approximately one hour, while entering downwind, the engine "sputtered" and lost power. The pilot attempted to land in a field and "stalled" the airplane at an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The airplane impacted in a soy bean field. The pilot reported that the fuel tanks were empty when he examined them after the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the pilot stated that he "believed he ran out of fuel." Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl were empty. No evidence of fuel system malfunction was reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97109](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97109-2004-01-05), registration cancelled 2004-01-05, S/N 18266982, built 1979 (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: 18266982 - Airframe hours: 2729 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth J. Bricker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1994, 48 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 507 total, 263 in this make and model, 458 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19950908028329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950908028329A), Sep 8, 1995: Cessna 182Q, Yale, MI, Substantial damage. Beleived had 20GALS for hour flight. Lost power downwind. Stalled at 50FT AGL landing. No fuel on board. (-23) aircraft preflight indicated a low amount of… 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.