# NTSB DEN82DA172: Beech C24R, N18906, Palisade, CO, August 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1982, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Palisade, CO
- Coordinates: 39.099948, -108.350982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0999&lon=-108.3510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA172

## 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
  - fuel system,cap - loss,total (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE FLIGHT DEPARTED THE ARAPAHOE AIRPORT WITH THE FUEL TANKS HALF FULL BECAUSE OF PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED WITHIN 45 MILES OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PILOT SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO QUIT AND HE SWITCHED BACK TO THE RIGHT TANK. AT THIS TIME, HE NOTICED THE FUEL CAP TO THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK WAS MISSING. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL A SHORT TIME LATER AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON INTERSTATE 70. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED A GUARD RAIL WHEN THE PILOT SWERVED TO AVOID ONCOMING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18906](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18906-1983-06-15), registration cancelled 1983-06-15, S/N MC-522 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC522
- Airframe hours: 165
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-36A-1B6 2 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wntell Associates
- Registered owner: Wntell Associates
- Departed: AI, APA, CO
- Destination: AI, GJT, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 521 total, 15 in this make and model, 361 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820821039819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820821039819A), Aug 21, 1982: Beech C24R, Palisade, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing on highway. Fuel cap was missing on left tank and fuel exhausted.

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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