# NTSB FTW96LA053: Cessna 182H, N8493S, Eagle Lake, TX, November 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 1995, 19:15 local (Nov 23, 1995, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Eagle Lake, TX - Coordinates: 29.580877, -96.320037 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5809&lon=-96.3200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19715/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA053 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the dark night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis During cruise flight at night, the engine started 'missing and stopped running at altitude 8,500 feet.' The left fuel gauge was showing 1/4 tank and the right fuel gauge was showing less than 1/4 tank. The GPS showed the nearest airport was at Columbus, Texas. The pilot contacted FSS and was informed that the Columbus Airport was inactive. The pilot saw the Eagle Lake Airport rotating beacon and headed towards it. At 1,000 feet 'the engine started but ran rough' and at 300 feet the 'engine quit again.' The pilot executed a landing to a field and during the landing roll the airplane struck a terrace area. The nose landing gear separated from the fuselage and a post impact fire ensued. Performance data provided by the manufacturer concluded the aircraft would have a flight endurance of 6.6 hours with no fuel reserve. The flight originated from Neosho, Missouri, with 80 gallons of fuel about 4 hours 15 minutes before the accident, and was en route to Victoria, Texas. ## Factual narrative On November 22, 1995, about 1915 central standard time, a Cessna 182H, N8493S, registered to, and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 cross country flight, collided with a dike during a forced landing near Eagle Lake, Texas. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Neosho, Missouri, about 4 hours 15 minutes before the accident and was en route to Victoria, Texas. The pilot reported the following information in the Pilot/Operator Report. Approximately 1830 the engine started "missing and stopped running at altitude 8,500 feet." The left fuel gauge was showing 1/4 tank and the right fuel gauge was showing less than 1/4 tank. The GPS showed the nearest airport was at Columbus, Texas. The pilot contacted FSS and was informed that the Columbus Airport was inactive. The pilot saw the Eagle Lake Airport rotating beacon and headed towards it. At 1,000 feet "the engine started but ran rough." At 300 feet the "engine quit again." The pilot executed a landing to a field and during the landing roll the airplane struck a terrace area. The nose landing gear separated from the fuselage and a post impact fire ensued. According to the FAA inspector the airplane was destroyed by the post crash fire. The pilot reported he had departed Neosho, Missouri, with 80 gallons of fuel, and he did not made any fuel stops. The last radar contact with the airplane was at 1913. According to the Cessna 182 Owner's Manual, an airplane equipped with long range fuel tanks will have 79 gallons of usable fuel. At 10,000 MSL, on a standard day, with a gross weight of 2,800 pounds, engine at 2,400 RPM with a manifold pressure of 19, the airplane would have a flight endurance of 6.6 hours with no fuel reserve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8493S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8493S-1998-04-03), registration cancelled 1998-04-03, S/N 18256593 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256593 - Airframe hours: 3279 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R-25B 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lee R. Kahanek - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 1994, 100 hours before - Departed: EOS, NEOSHO, MO - Destination: VCT, VICTORIA, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 600 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SGR, 18 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 19951122038159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951122038159A), Nov 22, 1995: Cessna 182H, Eagle Lake, TX, Destroyed. Lost power at cruise. Fuel quartertanks saw ela beacon. Crash land in terraced field. Burned. Fuel status unknown. (-16) a personal cross-country flight… 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.