# NTSB FTW87LA011: Cessna 182Q, N97814, Plainview, TX, November 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1986, 18:30 local (Nov 1, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Plainview, TX
- Coordinates: 34.189132, -101.719604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1891&lon=-101.7196&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): 22294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT APRX 25 MIN AFTER HE TOOK OFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, ONLY TRACES OF FUEL WERE FOUND IN THE ACFT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT FUEL HAD DRAINED FROM THE TANKS AT THE CRASH SITE, EXCEPT THAT THE ACFT WAS INVERTED. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN A TOTAL OF 9.3 HRS SINCE IT WAS LAST KNOWN TO BE REFUELED. THE ACFT'S FUEL CAPACITY WAS 81 GAL & ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, ITS NORMAL FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS ABOUT 9 GAL/HR. THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THE FLT, HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL, BUT HAD RELIED ON THE FUEL GAGES WHICH INDICATED THE FUEL TANKS WERE FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97814](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97814), registered now, S/N 18267204 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267204
- Airframe hours: 978
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Amarillo Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 23, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 40 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861031053339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861031053339A), Oct 31, 1986: Cessna 182Q, Plainview, TX, Substantial damage. The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft flipped over landing in a field. Improper preflight.

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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