# NTSB DFW08LA226: Cessna 182D, N8979X, Orange Grove, TX, September 5, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2008, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Orange Grove, TX
- Coordinates: 28, -98.01667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0000&lon=-98.0167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA226

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to an improperly installed intake manifold tube.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Power plant: air intake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160/cases.md)
- [Power plant: air intake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057160/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072710), [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 182D, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot stated that he was at an altitude of 3,500 feet when the engine stopped producing power. He made a forced landing to field and struck a cedar post with the airplane's nose wheel and subsequently flipped over resulting in structural damage to the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the engine revealed that the left side intake tube elbow remained attached to the intake manifold hose with the hose clamp still attached. The intake manifold hose was found not secured to the intake manifold No. 2 tube assembly.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 2008, approximately 1820 central daylight time, N8979X, a single-engine Cessna 182 airplane, sustained substantial damage after is made a forced landing to a field after a loss of engine power. The certified private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The other passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to Sky S the Limit Parachute Center, Beeville, Texas, and was operated by the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Alice International Airport (ALI), Alice, Texas, about 1800, and was destined for Beeville Municipal Airport (BEA), Beeville, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and interviewed the pilot. According to the inspector, the pilot was returning to his home airport when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that he was at an altitude of 3,500 feet when the engine stopped producing power. He made a forced landing to field and struck a cedar post with the airplane's nose wheel and subsequently flipped over resulting in structural damage to the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the airplane revealed there was 60 gallons of light blue aviation fuel onboard (30 gallons in each tank). There was fuel present in the fuel lines to the gascolator bowl, which was full. Fuel in the gascolator bowl was absent of water and debris. Examination of the engine revealed that the left side intake tube elbow remained attached to the intake manifold hose with the hose clamp still attached. The intake manifold hose was found not secured to the intake manifold No. 2 tube assembly. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. He was also a certified senior parachute rigger for both back and chest. The pilot's last second class FAA medical certificate was issued on March 15, 2005, and had the following limitations: "Must wear lenses for distant, have glasses for near vision. Not valid for any class after March 31, 2006." At the time of the medical, he reported a total of 3,100 hours. At the time this report was completed, the pilot had not submitted NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8979X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8979X-2010-04-01), registration cancelled 2010-04-01, S/N 18253379, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253379
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary S. Morgan
- Registered owner: Sky'S The Limit Parachute Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ALI, Alice, TX
- Destination: BEA, Beeville, TX
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KVCT, 41 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 20080905848109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080905848109A), Sep 5, 2008: Cessna 182D, Orange Grove, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft lost engine power while enroute to alice, TX to drop skydivers at a high school football game. The pilot stated the aircraft engine quit…

## Other investigations on N8979X (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 FTW92LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA170), Jun 6, 1992: Cessna 182D (N8979X), Beeville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: ENGINE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED CAUSE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOTS' FAILURE TO LOWER FLAPS FOR THE SHORT FIELD 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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