# NTSB FTW89LA088: Cessna 182, N5160D, Owasso, OK, April 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1989, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Owasso, OK
- Coordinates: 36.279048, -95.830032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2790&lon=-95.8300&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 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA088

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM LACK OF FUEL.  THE PRESENCE OF TREES WAS WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG A PREFLIGHT, THE PLT CHECKED THE FUEL GAUGES, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANKS. WHILE IN FLT, ABOUT 5 MI FROM THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE DESTINATION ARPT, SO HE TRIED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO CLEAR OVER TREES BEFORE REACHING THE FIELD. THE ACFT HIT A TREETOP, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAM AFTER THE ACDNT REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE WING TANKS OR GASCOLATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5160D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5160D), registered now, S/N 51260, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-51260
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Burney York
- Departed: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Destination: OK16, OWASSO, OK
- Airport: OK16, Gundy'S

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 214 total, 55 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 8 nm away

## 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 19890427011149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890427011149A), Apr 27, 1989: Cessna 182A, Owasso, OK, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route on short flight unable to make nearby airport. Hit tree short of a field. Fuel tanks were empty

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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