# NTSB CHI99LA180: Cessna 182D, N9169X, Zurich, KS, June 9, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1999, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Zurich, KS
- Coordinates: 39.230098, -99.299285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2301&lon=-99.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA180

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation.  A factor was fuel exhaustion.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, emergency landing

## Analysis

During cruise flight the engine lost power.  The pilot conducted a forced landing to a field where the airplane nosed over.  The pilot said that he thought he had experienced carburetor ice; however, subsequent to the accident no fuel was found in the tanks and there was no fuel leak on the ground at the accident site nor were there any stains on the airframe indicating a leak.  The fuel caps were in place and were of the non-siphoning type.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 1999, at 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 182D, N9169X, owned by an individual, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field, five and one-half miles south of Zurich, Kansas.  The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Rapid City, South Dakota, at 1000, with the stated destination of Wichita, Kansas.

The pilot told authorities that he thought he had experienced carburetor ice, and at the time the engine lost power the fuel indicators were indicating "3/4 full" on each tank; however, when the airplane was turned over, it was found that there was no fuel in the tanks and the fuel indication on the gages was "zero."  The fuel caps were of the non-siphoning type.  There was no fuel present in the dirt under where the airplane had lain inverted.  About two ounces of fuel was drained from the tanks and sump (gascolator).  There were no fuel stains present on the airplane.  The inspection took place about 1-1/2 hours after the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9169X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9169X), registered now, S/N 18253569, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253569
- Airframe hours: 3062
- Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward L & Kathryn M Carr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1998, 31 hours before
- Departed: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Destination: ICT, WICHITA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 634 total, 211 in this make and model, 573 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 17 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HYS, 28 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 19990609006739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990609006739A), Jun 9, 1999: Cessna 182D, Zurich, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot made an emergency landing in a wheat field due to the formation of carb ice and subsequent engine failure, and the acft flipped over on landing, other…

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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