# NTSB DEN89LA102: Cessna 182P, N1672M, Los Lunas, NM, April 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1989, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Los Lunas, NM
- Coordinates: 34.810554, -106.72985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8106&lon=-106.7298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA102

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXAUSTION FROM AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:   FALSE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION, HARD LANDING BY THE PILOT, AND UNEVEN TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE THE FLT, THE PLT PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT & DRAINED THE WING SUMPS. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN THE FUEL. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE TANK CAPS OR FUEL LEVEL, BUT RELIED ON THE FUEL GAGES, WHICH HE BELIEVED WERE ACCURATE. HE KNEW THE LEFT TANK WAS NEAR EMPTY & ESTIMATED THERE WAS 35 GAL REMAINING IN THE RGT TANK. ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF ON A FLT FROM ALBUQUERQUE TO BELEN, NM, THE ENG LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, HE BEGAN HIS FLARE TOO LOW, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 'TOO FLAT' & THEN THE NOSE WHEEL HIT A MOUND & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN EITHER TANK, THOUGH FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES & GASCOLATOR. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATIONALLY CHECKED & IT RAN SMOOTHLY TO 2100 RPM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1672M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1672M-2011-03-04), registration cancelled 2011-03-04, S/N 18264411, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264411
- Airframe hours: 2154
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Henry E. Bielinski, doing business as Double Eagle II, Inc.
- Registered owner: Double Eagle II Arcft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: AEG, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: E80, BELEN, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,930 total, 102 in this make and model, 3,004 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 19 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 19890405006179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890405006179A), Apr 5, 1989: Cessna 182P, Los Lunas, NM, Substantial damage. Engine quit on short flight landed in open field. Nose gear hit dirt mound. Aircraft nosed over. Fuel tanks empty.

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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