# NTSB ERA12LA470: Cessna 182A, N2166G, Farmingdale, NJ, July 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2012, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NJ - Coordinates: 40.186943, -74.124443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1869&lon=-74.1244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA470 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA470 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (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) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 was returning to the airport after dropping off parachutists at 9,000 feet. He said that the flight lasted about 30 minutes, and as he turned onto final approach in the traffic pattern, he pulled the throttle back, and the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field, and the airplane struck some power poles lying on the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal operation. Only residual fuel was recovered from the wing tanks, and there was no fuel in the line from the tanks to the engine. The pilot stated that he should have monitored his fuel gauges more closely. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2012, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N2166G, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and collision with terrain near Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM), Farmingdale, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot had minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a corporation and was operated by Skydive Jersey Shore under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a skydiving flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at BLM about 1530. The pilot reported that he was returning to the airport after dropping parachutists at 9,000 feet. While approaching the airport, about 30 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power and stopped running. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field and the airplane collided with some poles lying on the ground and the nose gear collapsed. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspectors confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage. There was no evidence of external engine damage. The oil quantity was checked and found to be in the normal range. Little or no fuel was found in the left wing tank. The right wing tank quantity could not be determined due to the position of the right wing. The wreckage was recovered to a local maintenance facility where a subsequent examination of the airframe and engine was performed. A yardstick was inserted into the right wing tank and the fuel level registered less than 0.75 inches. The total fuel recovered from the left wing tank was less than one quart. A fuel sample was taken from the gascolator and it was found to be blue in color and free of contaminants. The main fuel line from the wing tanks was loosened and the line was empty of fuel. The engine rotated freely when turned by hand. The pilot reported that, after leveling off from the descent, that he should have made a more conscious effort to scan his instruments and gauges, with "special emphasis on fuel gauges." He also reported that he preflighted the fuel tanks with a wooden dipstick. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2166G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2166G-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 51466, 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: 51466 - Airframe hours: 8190 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Skydive Jersey Shore - Registered owner: Casey Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 24, 2012, 92 hours before - Departed: BLM, Farmingdale, NJ - Destination: BLM, Farmingdale, NJ - Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive, runway 14, 7,371 × 85 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 473 total, 174 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: NEL, 14 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 20120721014869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120721014869A), Jul 21, 2012: Cessna 182A, Farmingdale, NJ, Substantial damage. On 7/21/2012, at approximatley 17:00 EDT a Cessna CE-182-A, serial number 51466, N2166G, was involved in a landing accident while approaching runway 14 at… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84403. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 805 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements (item 3, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Front View of Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 4, .PDF, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375658&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Front%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Left Wing Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 554 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Right Side View of Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 809 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Right%20Side%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 4: Left Side View of Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 757 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Left%20Side%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.