# NTSB ERA22LA381: Cessna 182, N6241A, Orlando, FL, August 19, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2022, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL · at 8745 University Blvd
- Coordinates: 28.598188, -81.265833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5982&lon=-81.2658&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA381
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105780/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105780
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA381

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel planning, 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 182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072702), [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 182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072702), [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.

- [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072702), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072702), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The accident flight was intended as a test flight after the airplane’s annual inspection. During the preflight inspection, the pilot visually checked the fuel and noted that there was less than he expected. While operating in the traffic pattern, the pilot experienced static on the radio and departed the airport area to troubleshoot. When he concluded these efforts and turned the airplane back toward the airport, the engine stopped producing power. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a street. The pilot avoided vehicle traffic and power lines; however, the airplane struck trees and a masonry fence, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no fuel in the airplane’s fuel tanks. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6241A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6241A), registered now, S/N 33041, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33041
- Year built: 1956
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ORL, Orlando, FL
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2021; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 5 nm away
- METAR: KORL 191953Z AUTO 21004KT 10SM SCT050 SCT075 36/23 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP154 T03560233

## 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 20220819014779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220819014779A), Aug 19, 2022: Cessna 182, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that, after the completion of an annual inspection he decided to preform a test flight. He did not trust the fuel gauges so visually checked…

## Other investigations on N6241A (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 MIA78FLA24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FLA24), Mar 25, 1978: Cessna 182 (N6241A), Fernahdiha Bch, FL, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105780. 8.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14398120&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA381%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14349255&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA381%20ROC%20Pilot%20-%20FINAL_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14448135&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA381%20ROC%20FAA%20Inspector%20Final-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14343623&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo_Array-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14447441&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=safety%20board%20form_Redacted-Rel.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.

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