# NTSB ERA11CA237: Cessna 182A, N4810D, Lesage, WV, April 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2011, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Lesage, WV - Coordinates: 38.461666, -82.313888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4617&lon=-82.3139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Charleston West Virginia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78831/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78831 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA237 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the improper installation of snap fasteners to the rubberized type fuel cells which resulted in wrinkling of the fuel bladders and incorrect fuel quantity for the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/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 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072704), [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 182A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072704), [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 182A, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flew four skydiving flights without refueling. On the last flight, after the skydivers exited the airplane, the pilot initiated a descent and the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot knew he could not make it back to the airport and made a forced landing to a gravel area. The airplane collided with a gravel mound and nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. According to the pilot, the airplane owner assisted him in fueling the airplane from a local fuel truck. The pilot said he used a ladder and started refueling the right wing with the owner manning the pump. While they were refueling the airplane, the owner asked the pilot if he was getting any fuel because the fuel meter was not running. They looked at the airplane's right main fuel tank and it appeared to be full. The pilot then added what he believed to be 10 gallons of fuel to the left main fuel tank. The pilot thought he had 37.5 gallons of fuel on board when he departed. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The examination also did not reveal any evidence of usable fuel. Additionally, examination of the airplane rubberized bladder type fuel cells located on the inboard bay of each wing panel revealed the snap fasteners normally used to prevent the collapse of the flexible cells were not installed and wrinkling of the bladder was noted. The fuel bladders were replaced about 5 years prior to the accident. It is possible that due to the wrinkling of the right fuel bladder, the pilot may not have had the fuel that he expected when the tank was topped off. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was planning to conduct skydiving flights. The airplane owner assisted the pilot in fueling the airplane from a local fuel truck. The pilot used a ladder and started refueling the right wing with the owner manning the pump. While they were refueling the airplane, the owner asked the pilot if he was getting any fuel because the fuel meter was not running. They looked at the airplane's right main fuel tank and it appeared to be full. The pilot then climbed down and went to the left main fuel tank and added what he believed to be 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot thought he had 37.5 gallons of fuel on board when he departed. The pilot flew four skydiving flights without refueling. On the last flight, after the skydivers left the airplane, he initiated a descent and the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot knew he could not make it back to the airport and made a forced landing to a gravel area. The airplane collided with a gravel mound and nosed over inverted, causing structural damage to the airframe. The airplane had been operated for 1.9 hours since the fueling. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The examination also did not reveal any evidence of usable fuel. Additionally, examination of the airplane rubberized bladder type fuel cells located on the inboard bay of each wing panel revealed the snap fasteners to prevent the collapse of the flexible cells were not installed and wrinkling of the bladder was noted. The fuel bladders were replaced about 5 years prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4810D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4810D-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 34910, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34910 - Airframe hours: 7816 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Paul Nadas - Registered owner: West Virginia Skydiver's - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2010, 37 hours before - Departed: I41, Huntington, WV - Destination: I41, Huntington, WV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,197 total, 178 in this make and model, 1,123 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: HTS, 12 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 20110410006839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110410006839A), Apr 10, 2011: Cessna 182A, Lesage, WV, Destroyed. According to the pilot, shortly after the jumpers were away at an altitude of 11, 500 feet MSL the engine began to run rough and then lost power. After… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78831. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 515 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - CAP Statements (item 3, .PDF, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CAP%20Statements-Master.PDF - Campbell County Sheriff's Report (item 4, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Campbell%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Extract Airplane Logbooks (item 5, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Airplane%20Logbooks-Redacted.PDF - Extract Additional Logbook Records (item 6, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Additional%20Logbook%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Extract Service Manual Fuel System (item 7, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Service%20Manual%20Fuel%20System-Master.PDF - Statements (item 8, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 View of left side of airplane inverted-Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20View%20of%20left%20side%20of%20airplane%20inverted-Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Rear view of airplane at rest-Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 610 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Rear%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest-Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.