# NTSB FTW94LA112: Cessna 180, N4646B, Austin, TX, March 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1994, 15:54 local (21:54 UTC) - Place: Austin, TX - Location: 30.1945° N, 97.6699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL (AUS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1945&lon=-97.6699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA112 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE WIRE STRIKE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL SELECTORS FROM THE BOTH POSITION TO THE LEFT TANK AND ATTEMPTED AN ENGINE RESTART. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO GROUND IMPACTED .25 MILES SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED 2.5 GALLONS OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK 6.5 GALLONS OF FUEL. TWO AND ONE HALF GALLONS IN EACH TANK IS UNUSABLE. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1994, at 1554 central standard time, a Cessna 180, N4646B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Austin, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that on final approach the aircraft lost engine power. He further stated that he could not reach the runway and impacted the ground approximately a quarter of a mile short of the runway. At the time of the loss of engine power the fuel selector was in the both position and was switched to the left tank. During the interview the pilot further stated that he attempted to restart the engine but was unable to do so. An inspection of the accident scene revealed that the airplane struck a power line. The pilot reported following the wire strike the aircraft turned left and impacted the ground. An inspection of the airplane revealed that the left wing contained 6.5 gallons of fuel and the right contained 2.5 gallons of fuel. The inspection also revealed that the engine exhibited no damage and there was no evidence of a fuel leak. A check of the manufacturer's specifications revealed that each wing had 2.5 gallons of unusable fuel. During the inspection it was determined that the wings and structural portions of the aircraft had sustained damage. Followup testing included an engine run. The engine started without problems. The engine was cycled through the RPM ranges and it continued to run without any malfunctions. The aircraft was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4646B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4646B), registered now, S/N 31544 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31544 - Engines: CONTINENTAL 470J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mann, Richard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TCC, TUCUMCARI, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AUS, Robert Mueller, runway 35, 5,006 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 420 in this make and model, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AUS ## 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 19940330007259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940330007259A), Mar 30, 1994: Cessna 180, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Struck a power line and impacted short of runway. Engine ran normal. Low fuel may have unported 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.