# NTSB FTW83LA296: Cessna 182B, N2550G, Lufkin, TX, June 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1983, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Lufkin, TX
- Coordinates: 31.330923, -94.720108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3309&lon=-94.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA296

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,tank - inadequate (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENG BEGAN SURGING. ALL INSTRUMENTS HAD NORMAL INDICATIONS, EXCEPT THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE & TACHOMETER WERE VARYING AS THE ENG SURGED. THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING ALT, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY. HE LANDED IN FRONT OF SEVERAL CARS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE CLOSING ON ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD SLOWED DOWN AHEAD. HE TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID THE VEHICLE & WENT THRU A DITCH & HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYS. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THERE WERE RIDGES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANKS. THE FUEL CELLS WERE REMOVED & EVIDENCE WAS FOUND THAT THE RIDGES WERE ABOUT 1/8 INCH IN HEIGHT. THE FUEL CELL BLADDERS WERE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED AT THE TIME THE ACFT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1959.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2550G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2550G-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 51850, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51850
- Airframe hours: 2395
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elijah Jackson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1982
- Departed: CXO, CONROE, TX
- Destination: OCH, NACOGDOCHES, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total, 695 in this make and model, 572 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830626026729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830626026729A), Jun 26, 1983: Cessna 182B, Lufkin, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing when engine quit due to water contamination in fuel.

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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