# NTSB ERA26LA116: Cessna 182G, N515CL, Quail Heights, FL, February 16, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: February 16, 2026, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Quail Heights, FL
- Coordinates: 25.560699, -80.514826
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5607&lon=-80.5148&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA116
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA116

## Preliminary report

On February 16, 2026, at 1020 eastern standard time a Cessna 182G, N515CL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Quail Heights, Florida. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he added a small quantity of fuel to both wing tanks to ensure both were full, then sumped the wing tank drains and the fuel strainer, finding no contamination. Taxi out and runup were normal with no anomalies noted. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost all power. The pilot decided to return to the airport and conducted a downwind landing opposite the direction of departure. After touchdown, he was unable to stop the airplane, and it overran the runway and subsequently impacted trees. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Post accident examination by the NTSB and FAA found no visible damage to the engine. Engine control continuity was established. Fuel was observed in both wing tanks, the carburetor bowl, and the fuel strainer, which also contained a small amount of particulate contamination. The upper spark plugs were removed and several exhibited sooting on the electrodes. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N515CL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N515CL), registered now, S/N 18255135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-470-R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-r) (registry code 17356, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255135
- Year built: 1964
- Airframe hours: 5398
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 2026
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 04FA, Richards Fld, runway 27, 2,620 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: KTMB, 7 nm away
- METAR: METAR KTMB 161453Z AUTO 29011KT 10SM 24/18 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02440183 51018 PWINO $

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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