# NTSB FTW01LA074: Cessna 182P, N4721K, Tuttle, OK, March 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 2, 2001, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Tuttle, OK - Coordinates: 35.289554, -97.750396 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2896&lon=-97.7504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51852/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA074 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion due to a loose fuel cap as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. A contributory factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel system,cap - not secured (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated that prior to takeoff, both fuel tanks were topped off. While enroute to the intended destination, the engine RPM began to decrease, and subsequently, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing, the nose landing gear contacted a drainage terrace, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane was turned upright, the right fuel tank was found empty, and left fuel tank contained residual fuel. The right fuel cap was found unlocked and hanging out of the fuel cell by its retaining chain. The pilot stated that some of the fuel may have been syphoned out of the fuel tank due to a loose fuel cap. ## Factual narrative On March 2, 2001, at 1545 central standard time, a Cessna 182P single-engine airplane, N4721K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Tuttle, Oklahoma. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Kremmling Flying, Inc., of Kremmling, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Kremmling, Colorado, at 1045 mountain standard time, and was destined for the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport near Norman, Oklahoma. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff, both fuel tanks were topped off. Approximately 15 miles from the intended destination, at 3,500 feet msl, the engine RPM began to decrease. The pilot pulled the carburetor heat ON, and the "RPMs picked back up." Approximately 10 seconds later, the engine RPM started to decrease again. The pilot adjusted the mixture control, applied full propeller RPM, and repositioned the fuel selector, in an attempt to regain engine power; however, no change in engine power was noted. The pilot contacted the Westheimer control tower and declared an emergency. With the propeller windmilling, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the touchdown, the nose landing gear contacted a "drainage terrace," and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, after the airplane was turned upright, the right fuel tank was found empty, and the left fuel tank contained residual fuel. The right fuel cap was found unlocked and hanging out of the fuel cell by its retaining chain. The pilot reported that the airplane was equipped with long-range 88-gallon capacity fuel tanks and had an endurance of approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes of flight time. The pilot stated that some of the fuel may have been syphoned out of the fuel tank due to a loose fuel cap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4721K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4721K-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 18263720, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18263720 - Airframe hours: 3350.9 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kremmling Flying Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 2000, 48.1 hours before - Departed: 20V, Kremmling, CO - Destination: OUN, Norman, OK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OUN, Univ. of Oklahoma Westheimer ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 29, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20010302004609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010302004609A), Mar 2, 2001: Cessna 182P, Tuttle, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was cruising at 3500' MSL when the a/c lost power. He de lared an emergency, tried to restart the engine without success. He made an emergency… 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.