# NTSB DEN88LA160: Cessna 180, N2815A, Boulder, CO, July 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1988, 19:06 local (Jul 17, 1988, 01:06 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Coordinates: 40.040508, -105.370429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0405&lon=-105.3704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA160

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS RETURNING TO BOULDER AFTER MAKING A FLT TO ASPEN. HE SAID HE STARTED THE MORNING FLT WITH 2/3 FUEL LOAD (ABOUT 40 GALLONS) BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH FLT TIME HE ACCUMULATED DURING THE DAY. DURING HIS VFR APPROACH TO THE BOULDER AIRPORT HE HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE NOTICED THE LEFT FUEL TANK INDICATED EMPTY, AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, BUT THE ENGINE QUIT. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND WAS FORCED TO PUT THE ACFT DOWN IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE IT RAN INTO A DITCH. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK HAD FUEL IN IT AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2815A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2815A-1993-01-29), registration cancelled 1993-01-29, S/N 30015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30015
- Airframe hours: 6045
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J11 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Haas, Russell W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1988, 76 hours before
- Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO
- Destination: 1V5, BOULDER, CO
- Airport: IV5, Boulder Municipal, runway 8, 4,100 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,017 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 5,099 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC

## 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 19880716026769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880716026769A), Jul 16, 1988: Cessna 180, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Allowed fuel tank to run dry. Unable a restart on other tank with fuel. Hit a ditch on final short of runway.

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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