CHI96LA051

The pilot reported that the airplane had been topped with fuel and that he had confirmed it during preflight. After about 3 hours of flying, the engine quit. A forced landing was made to a road and the airplane collided with trees and a powerline pole during the flare. The pilot reported that he 'didn't put much stock in the fuel gauges.' Although the fuel gauges were going down, he relied on time and distance for his fuel calculations. The aircraft maintenance records indicated that the fuel caps were inspected every 12 months. The last inspection of the fuel caps was performed on 11/28/95. No fuel caps were repaired or replaced. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the left and right fuel tanks had no drainable fuel. The left wing showed signs of fuel leaking from the fuel cap. Stains were found streaming from the cap and along the top and bottom of the wing flap. Examination of the left fuel tank found that the fuel cap was loose and did not fit properly.

On December 13, 1995, at 2030 central standard time, a Cessna 182, N2465Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and a powerline pole after it had experienced a loss of engine power near Tamms, Illinois. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Mount Sterling- Montgomery County Airport, Mount Sterling, Kentucky, at 1830 eastern standard time, en route to Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that the airplane had been topped with fuel and that he had confirmed it during preflight. The airplane held 79 gallons of fuel since it had long range tanks. The pilot reported that after about an hour and a half into the flight, the fuel gauges indicated 3/4 full. He reported that shortly thereafter, he encountered light turbulence which eventually changed to occasional moderate with several severe jolts. He slowed the airplane and descended to a lower altitude. He reported that the turbulence continued for about 35 miles.

The pilot reported that the next event occured when the airplane's engine started "coughing." He put on the carburetor heat, pushed the mixture to full rich, and looked over at the fuel gauges. They were at or near empty. The engine then quit. He executed the emergency procedures but nothing helped. He performed a forced landing to a road, but hit some trees and a powerline pole with his left wing while he was in the flare. The airplane spun around and came to a stop in a field on the side of the road.

During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he reported that he examined the airplane after the accident and that there was a fuel stain from the left flap all the way down the fuselage. He reported that fuel was definitely siphoning out of the airplane somewhere. He also stated that he "didn't put much stock in the fuel gauges." Although the fuel gauges were going down, he relied on time and distance for his fuel calculations.

An examination of the airplane's logbooks revealed that the left fuel bladder had been replaced on December 11, 1995. However, the left tank vent line started to leak at the forward inboard vent line when 40 gallons of fuel had been added. Both wings were defueled until the leaking stopped. On December 12, 1995, the vent line was repaired and the tank was serviced with 66 gallons of fuel. All the fuel connections were checked. The mechanic who worked on the airplane reported that he cleaned old fuel stains from under the wing, behind the door, and on top of the wing behind the fuel cap. On December 13, 1995, the mechanic reported that he checked the fuel lines for leaks and none were noted.

The aircraft maintenance records indicated that the fuel caps were inspected every 12 months. The last inspection of the fuel caps was performed on November 28, 1995. No fuel caps were repaired or replaced.

An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane. He reported that the left and right fuel tanks had no drainable fuel. A few drops were present at the fuel screen mounted on the firewall. The fuel line going into the carburetor was removed and found to be dry. The left wing showed signs of fuel leaking from the fuel cap. Stains were found streaming from the cap, along the top and bottom of the wing flap. The wing root area had no signs of fuel leakage. Fuel stains were present on the left side of the fuselage aft of the flaps and also on the horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the left fuel tank found that the cap did not fit properly. With the cap installed and latched in the normal way, the cap could be moved side to side slightly.