# NTSB DEN99LA164: Cessna 180, N4796B, Columbus, NM, August 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1999, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Columbus, NM - Coordinates: 31.820528, -107.640365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8205&lon=-107.6404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47416 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47416/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA164 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion because the pilot issued instructions that the fuel tanks not be filled to capacity. A factor was the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - inadequate (cause) - instructions,written/verbal - poor, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot departed Bullhead City, Arizona, en route to Columbus, New Mexico, a distance of 461 nautical miles. He planned on an average ground speed of 120 knots, with an estimated 3 hours, 45 minutes time en route. The pilot calculated the fuel burn to be between 10.5 and 11.0 gallons per hour. With 55 gallons of usable fuel, this would equate to an endurance of 4.5 to 5.0 hours. When the airplane was 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing on an unprepared surface and collided with a ditch. The pilot said he had instructed airport personnel at Bullhead City to refuel the airplane, but to 'leave it down two inches.' He admitted the engine probably lost power due to 'fuel starvation.' ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1999, approximately 1340 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N4796B, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Columbus, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Bullhead City, Arizona, approximately 0850. According to the pilot's accident report, he departed Bullhead City en route to Columbus, New Mexico, a distance of 461 nautical miles. He planned on an average ground speed of 120 knots, with an estimated 3 hours, 45 minutes time en route. The pilot calculated the fuel burn to be between 10.5 and 11.0 gallons per hour. With 55 gallons of usable fuel, this would equate to an endurance of 4.5 to 5.0 hours. When the airplane was 50 miles from its destination, the fuel gauges indicated 1/4 full. When the airplane was 10 miles from the airport, the pilot began a descent to 6,000 feet msl (above mean sea level). When the airplane was 3 miles from the airport, the pilot leveled off at 6,000 feet and the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing on an unprepared surface and collided with a ditch. FAA was notified of the accident by letter and by a telephone call from an anonymous tipster (copy attached). When an FAA inspector contacted the pilot, he was "obnoxious and obstinate," insisting that the damage to his airplane was minimal. The pilot "admitted to fuel starvation." An FAA inspector examined the airplane and found the left main landing gear and gear box, left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and engine firewall to be buckled. The pilot told the FAA inspector said he had instructed airport personnel at Bullhead City to refuel the airplane, but to "leave it down two inches." The fuel receipt indicates the airplane was serviced with 29.1 gallons of aviation grade gasoline. The pilot did not indicate whether he checked to see if his instructions had been followed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4796B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4796B), registered now, S/N 31694, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31694 - Airframe hours: 3059 - Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arlin H. Gambel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1998, 60 hours before - Departed: IFP, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ - Destination: 60E - Airport: 60E, Hacienda Sur Luna Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,691 total, 596 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19990820029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990820029009A), Aug 20, 1999: Cessna 180, Columbus, NM, Substantial damage. (.4) On August 20, 1999, approximately 1340 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N4796B, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N4796B (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 GAA19CA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA214), Apr 14, 2019: Cessna 180 (N4796B), Limington, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during touchdown, which resulted in runway excursion onto snow. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.