FTW00LA115

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 182P · Addison, TX · March 31, 2000

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
March 31, 2000, 10:11 local (16:11 UTC)
Place
Addison, TX
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N6046JCessna 182P
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report May 8, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
20000331012359A
Case key
51132

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingLanding
OverrunLanding - roll
Nose downLanding - roll
Terrain condition - muddy
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor

Analysis

During the takeoff climb, the engine lost power, and the pilot attempted to land the airplane on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down hard and bounced. During the landing roll, the pilot applied 'maximum braking,' however, the airplane exited the departure end of the runway. The nose landing gear sank in the soft mud and collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on its nose. During a post-accident examination of the engine, no anomalies were noted that would have prevented its operation.

Factual narrative

On March 31, 2000, at 1011 central standard time, a Cessna 182P airplane, N6046J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff climb from the Addison Airport, Addison, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and owner of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Dallas Air Park, north of Addison.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that "the engine started immediately and idled smoothly between 700 and 800 rpm," and no anomalies were noted during the engine runup. During takeoff from runway 15, the airplane "accelerated and climbed normally." Approximately 400 feet agl, the pilot "decided to lower the nose and take out the flaps (10 degrees)." While reaching for the flap lever, "the engine went from the roar of full power to what seemed a 'pfffft' sound. There was no loud bang, cough, or sputter. The engine simply quit running instantly and without prior warning." The pilot stated that he lowered the nose of the airplane, and applied full flaps in an attempt to land back on the remaining runway. He added that the airplane touched down hard. During the landing roll, the pilot applied "maximum braking;" however, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway. The nose landing gear sank in the soft mud and collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane nosed down and came to rest on its nose.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that the right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The nose landing gear was separated from the airframe, the engine cowling was destroyed, and the propeller blades were bent aft.

According to the engine maintenance records, the Continental O-470-51B engine (serial number 269149R) received an annual inspection on February 24, 2000, at 511.0 hours total time. At the time of the accident, the engine and airframe had accumulated 512.0 and 2,532 hours total time, respectively.

On April 25, 2000, the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the FAA inspector, and a representative from the engine manufacturer examined the airframe and engine. The throttle, mixture, and propeller governor controls were free and continuity was established. The carburetor heat control was separated, but the control was free to move. The gascolator screen and bowl were clean. The fuel selector was found in the "OFF" position. With the fuel selector in the "OFF" position, the carburetor bowl plug was removed, and fuel drained from the bowl. The fuel selector was turned to the "ON" position, and fuel drained freely from the bowl. The spark plugs were removed and the crankshaft rotated by hand. "Good" hand compression was noted on all six cylinders. The left magneto was timed at 22 degrees before top dead center, and the right was timed at 21 degrees before top dead center. Both magnetos sparked at all terminals when rotated by hand. The magnetos were disassembled and no anomalies were noted that would have prevented their operation. The oil filter element was clean with no evidence of metal deposits. No anomalies were noted during the engine examination, and there was no evidence of pre-impact failure to the airframe.

On April 26, 2000, the carburetor was examined and disassembled at Aircraft Fuel Injection Services near Dallas, TX. The FAA inspector stated that no anomalies were noted with the carburetor during the examination that would have prevented its operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N6046J
Reported as
Cessna 182P
Category
Airplane
Serial number
269149R
Airframe hours
2,532
Engine
Continental O-470-51B, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Virgil R. Pulliam
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · February 24, 2000 · 1 hours before
Departed
ADS
Destination
F69 · Dallas, TX
Airport
ADS · Addison Airport, runway 15, 7,202 × 100 ft, concrete

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
66
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
424 total · 95 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 18 knots
Visibility
13 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
25,000 ft broken
Altimeter
30.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.