# NTSB DEN91LA015: Cessna 182C, N8859T, Silver City, NM, October 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1990, 17:00 local (Oct 31, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Silver City, NM
- Coordinates: 32.779838, -108.259757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7798&lon=-108.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT NEAR SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SAID THAT HE RAN THE LEFT FUEL TANK DRY, BUT WHEN HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME/ALTITUDE TO GET THE ENGINE RESTARTED BEFORE HE HAD TO CONCENTRATE ON A FORCED LANDING. THE LANDING WAS NORMAL BUT DURING THE GROUND ROLL THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK A HIDDEN ROCK CAUSING THE NOSE GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER AND DAMAGED THE EMPENNAGE AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8859T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8859T), registered now, S/N 52759, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182C
- Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52759
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roberts, Randy
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU CIT, AZ
- Destination: TCS, TRUTH OR CONSEQ, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 330 total, 320 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19901030047679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901030047679A), Oct 30, 1990: Cessna 180C, Silver City, NM, Substantial damage. Ran a fuel tank dry during low level sightseeing flight. No time to start engine on full tank. Nosed over landing.

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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