# NTSB DFW08LA210: Cessna 182, N92780, Caldwell, TX, August 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2008, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, TX - Coordinates: 30.508333, -96.701667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5083&lon=-96.7017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO, Continential Aircraft Engines, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 68753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68753/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA210 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to secure the right wing's fuel cap, leading to fuel being siphoned from the tank during flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072730), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross-country flight, the single-engine airplane lost engine power. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to a nearby airport. During the approach, the airplane impacted a light pole and crashed into a ball field near the airport. The on-site investigation found that the right wing fuel cap was located on the ground near the airplane's wing; the left wing's fuel cap was in place. Additionally, blue fuel streaks were found on the fuselage's right side behind the rear fuselage window and below the right horizontal stabilator. An inspection of the engine failed to identify any abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation. Prior to its departure from a previous airport, the airplane was filled with approximately 24 gallons of fuel. An airport security camera recorded the airplane being refueled. The security video showed that the pilot, after refueling, did not put the right wing's fuel cap back on. The fuel "streaking" is consistent with (blue) 100LL aviation fuel being siphoned from the fuel tank during flight, leading to the loss of fuel. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2008, approximately 1800 central daylight time, a single-engine, Cessna 182 airplane, N92780, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a loss of engine power, during an approach to the Caldwell Municipal Airport (RWV), Caldwell, Texas. The commercially rated pilot and passenger both received serious injuries. The airplane was registered and operated by Farney Aviation Management Corp. Georgetown, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, cross-country flight originating from Sugar Land Regional (SGR) airport, Houston, Texas about 1700, and destined for Waco Regional (ACT) airport Waco, Texas. According to reports, the pilot reported an engine problem and was attempting to land at the Caldwell airport. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the airplane was largely destroyed by the impact. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a light pole and came to rest in a baseball field. There was not a post-crash fire. There were no reports of any injuries to persons on the ground. The FAA inspector conducted the on-scene examination and provided site photographs. Once the on-site inspection was complete, the airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. On August 28, 2008 the NTSB Investigator-in-charge and technical representatives from the airframe and engine manufacturer examined the wreckage at the salvage yard. The fuel selector valve was found turned to the "both" position. The airplane's Continental engine was modified under a STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) by Texas Skyways, Inc. to model O-470 UTS. A visual inspection of the engine was preformed and the engine crankshaft rotated; continuity through the engine was confirmed and a thumb compression test preformed. The spark plugs appeared "normal" and had light gray deposits. The magneto's produced "spark" at each terminal. The throttle control linkage to the carburetor was still attached. The fuel screens in the carburetor and gascolator were clear and free of contaminates. The oil filter was removed and opened; the filter element was clear of metal deposits. The inspection of the engine failed to identify any abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation. A portable GPS unit mounted in the airplane was downloaded; a review of the data reveals the airplane's departure from the Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU) with about a one-hour, twenty minute flight to SGR. The last route shown on the GPS was the airplane's departure from SGR, until its accident near RWV, approximately 58-minutes later. Prior to its departure from GTU, the airplane was filled with 24.72 gallons of fuel. An airport security camera recorded the airplane being refueled. A review of the security video disclosed that the pilot, after refueling, did not put the right wing's fuel cap backon. Photographs taken at the accident site, shows that the left wing's fuel cap in place; however, the right wing fuel cap is located (on the ground) approximately 4-feet in front of the wing. The photo's also show two main areas of "blue streaks" on the airplane; on the right side fuselage behind the rear fuselage window, and below the right horizontal stabilator. The blue streaks are consistent with (blue) 100LL aviation fuel "running" back onto the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92780](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92780-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 18260352, built 1970 (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: 18260352 - Airframe hours: 5461 - Engines: Continental O-470UTS reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Farney Aviation Management Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 2007 - Departed: SGR, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: ACT, WACO, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 478 total, 121 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KRWV, 1 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 20080820848939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080820848939A), Aug 20, 2008: Cessna 182N, Caldwell, TX, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft was en route from sugarland regional (sgr) airport to waco regional (act) airport on a VFR flight plan when it began to have intermittent… 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.