# NTSB FTW89LA145: Cessna 182, N5703B, Comfort, TX, August 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1989, 20:05 local (Aug 10, 1989, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Comfort, TX
- Coordinates: 30.319963, -95.470046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3200&lon=-95.4700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA145

## Probable cause

THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS WHICH RESULTED FROM THE FUEL PILOT'S FAILURE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE FOR THE FLIGHT.

## 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
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - unreliable
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED FROM A PRIVATE AIRPORT WITH NO FUEL SERVICES AVAILABLE. PURPOSE OF FLIGHT WAS A CIVIL AIR PATROL LOCAL PRACTICE SESSION. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE PIC ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS OF FUEL WAS AVAILABLE BY CALCULATING THE TIME FLOWN SINCE LAST FUELING AND DIP-STICKING THE TANKS. BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS UNRELIABLE AND THAT THEY DID NOT FLY TO ANOTHER AIRPORT FOR FUEL BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE NECESSITATED A NIGHT RETURN. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE SECOND PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING WHILE THE PIC ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED IN A TERRACED FIELD. THE FAA COORDINATOR REPORTED LESS THAN TWO GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING AT THE SCENE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5703B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5703B-2005-11-01), registration cancelled 2005-11-01, S/N 33703, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33730
- Airframe hours: 3677
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blank, Gloria
- Registered owner: Gloria J Blank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: TA66, PIPE CREEK, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 330 total, 162 in this make and model, 224 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890809028309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890809028309A), Aug 9, 1989: Cessna 182, Comfort, TX, Substantial damage. Cap practice flight. Departed low fuel. Exhausted same. Landed terraced field. Failed to assure adequate 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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