# NTSB DEN85LA145: Cessna 182, N759QY, Byers, CO, June 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1985, 19:15 local (Jun 1, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Byers, CO
- Coordinates: 39.709671, -104.219581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7097&lon=-104.2196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT HE WAS 'IN A RUSH TO GET HOME' AFTER HIS EXTENDED TRIP. HE CONTINUED TO STATE 'I WANTED TO GET HOME THATAFTERNOON WITHOUT ANOTHER STOP AND I WANTED THE PERFORMANCE FIGURES TO SHOW ME THAT I COULD.' THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERG LANDING AFTER THE ENG QUIT IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE ACFT STRUCK A METAL FENCE POST. POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL ON BOARD THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759QY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759QY), registered now, S/N 18266186, built 1977 (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: 18266186
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Caulkins Investment Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985
- Departed: BRL, BURLINGTON, IA
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 20 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 25 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 19850531022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850531022049A), May 31, 1985: Cessna 182Q, Byers, CO, Substantial damage. Miscalculated fuel endurance, ran out of fuel. Landed on a hilly field and hit a fence post on rollout.

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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