# NTSB DEN04LA008: Cessna 182R, N4981E, Lysite, WY, October 12, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 2003, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Lysite, WY - Coordinates: 43.25032, -107.710411 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2503&lon=-107.7104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58154/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA008 ## Probable cause the pilot's fuel mismanagement resulting in the loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing and the nose over. ## Analysis According to the pilot, while returning from surveying cattle on his ranch, he was flying approximately 500 feet agl when the engine lost power. The pilot stated that, the fuel gauge was indicating "10 to 15 [gallons] on the right and E[empty] on the left tank." The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was unable to regain engine power. He turned towards a nearby ridgeline and made a forced landing. The airplane struck the ground, and nosed over. The pilot said that he had flown the airplane several times for a total of approximately 6 hours since he last refueled. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 2003, at approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182R, N4981E, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing approximately 20 nautical miles north-northeast of Lysite, Wyoming. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Lost Cabin, Wyoming, at approximately 0700. According to the pilot, while returning from surveying cattle on his ranch, he was flying approximately 500 feet agl when the engine lost power. The pilot stated that, the fuel gauge was indicating "10 to 15 [gallons] on the right and E[empty] on the left tank." The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was unable to regain engine power. He turned towards a nearby ridgeline and made a forced landing. The airplane struck the ground, and nosed over. The airplane's left and right wings were bent downward, the left wing strut was buckled, and the vertical stabilizer was crushed. The pilot said that he had flown the airplane several times for a total of approximately 6 hours since he last refueled. According to the Cessna 182 Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), with a total of 88 gallons of useable fuel, and while operating between 65 and 75 percent power, the fuel endurance is approximately 7 hours. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - exhaustion (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4981E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4981E), registered now, S/N 18268285, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182R - Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18268285 - Airframe hours: 2047.4 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Hendry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2003, 68.1 hours before - Departed: WY34, Lysite, WY - Destination: WY34, Lysite, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,238 total, 2,111 in this make and model, 2,238 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KWRL, 30 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 20031012026199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031012026199A), Oct 12, 2003: Cessna 182R, Lysite, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Loss of power and an emergency landing initiated in high terrain. 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.