# NTSB DEN87LA047: Cessna 182L, N3439R, La Junta, CO, January 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1987, 13:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: La Junta, CO
- Coordinates: 37.979518, -103.539047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9795&lon=-103.5390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA047

## 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 (cause)
  - performance data - inaccurate (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLT AT 8,500 FEET MSL. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT HAD FLOWN 5 HOURS ON THIS FLT. THE LONG RANGE FUEL TANKS HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITH THE FILLER PORTS INBOARD, LIMITING THE TOTAL QUANTITY BY 10 GALLONS. THE ACFT'S RANGE WAS ONE HOUR LESS THAN DATA FROM THE OPERATORS MANUAL INDICATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3439R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3439R-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 18258739, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18258739
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chris J. Orlowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 308 total, 308 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 25 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX, 27 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 19870128001299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870128001299A), Jan 28, 1987: Cessna 182L, La Junta, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft ran out of fuel and landed in a rough field. Pilot did not know fuel tank capacity.

## Other investigations on N3439R (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN74DTC28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DTC28), Mar 2, 1974: Cessna 182L (N3439R), Cheyenne, WY, substantial damage

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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