# NTSB DEN89LA137: Cessna 182, N92299, Moab, UT, June 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1989, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Moab, UT
- Coordinates: 38.529777, -109.550308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5298&lon=-109.5503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA137

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE FLIGHT AND COMPANY INDUCED PRESSURE BY THE COMPANY/OPERATOR MANAGEMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM A LACK OF FUEL.  THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND THE TREE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT HAD FLOWN 3 HRS & WAS STARTING THE LAST LEG OF A PART 135 PASSENGER FLT. HE SAID HE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS. HE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHIEF PLT/OPERATOR & WAS TOLD TO PROCEED TO MOAB. THE PLT SAID THE CHIEF PLT DID NOT LOOK AT THE GAUGES. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE FLAPS ON THIS ACFT DID NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY. THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER 30 MIN OF FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER. A PASSENGER THAT WAS ABOARD THE ACFT SAID SHE HEARD THE PLT RADIO THAT THE ACFT WAS OUT OF FUEL & THAT HE WAS MAKING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT SELECTED A DIRT ROAD IN ROUGH TERRAIN (APRX 5 MI SW OF THE DESTN). DRG THE LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED & THE RGT WING STRUCK A TREE. ANOTHER COMPANY PLT FLEW OVER THE DOWNED ACFT & COORDINATED RESCUE EFFORTS. BEFORE THE PLANE WAS RECOVERED, 6.1 GAL OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL TANKS. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL STATED THAT EACH OF THE 2 TANKS CONTAINED 3 GAL OF UNUSABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92299](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92299), registered now, S/N 18260138, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-60138
- Airframe hours: 5523
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Redtail Aviation
- Registered owner: Redtail Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: NONE, HITE, UT
- Destination: CNY, MOAB, UT
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 906 total, 53 in this make and model, 702 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19890610015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890610015109A), Jun 10, 1989: Cessna 182N, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. Low on fuel,departed on advice of operator to fuel after 30 minute flight. Ran out of fuel and crash landed on road

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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