# NTSB GAA17CA361: Cessna 182, N1800M, Doniphan, MO, June 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 22, 2017, 20:05 local (Jun 23, 2017, 01:05 UTC) - Place: Doniphan, MO - Coordinates: 36.679443, -90.719444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6794&lon=-90.7194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95426/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95426 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA361 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to take off with a known fuel leak, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, near the conclusion of a long cross-country flight, the engine suddenly lost partial power. He declared an emergency with air traffic control and was advised that the nearest airport was about 5 miles behind him. He reversed course and began heading toward the airport. Unable to reach the airport, the pilot initiated a landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence and a detached garage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed blue-colored fuel streaking from the right wing fuel cap to the trailing edge of the flap. Both fuel tanks were empty. The pilot reported that he was aware of that the right wing fuel cap was leaking before the accident flight and that it had been leaking since he purchased the airplane about 6 months before the accident. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that near the conclusion of a long cross-country flight, the engine suddenly lost partial power. He declared an emergency with air traffic control, and was advised that the nearest airport was about 5 miles behind him. He reversed course and began heading towards the airport. Unable to reach the airport, the pilot initiated a landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence and a detached garage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed blue colored fuel streaking from the right wing fuel cap to the trailing edge of the flap. Both fuel tanks were empty. The pilot reported that he was aware of the right wing fuel cap leak prior to the accident flight. The fuel cap had been leaking since he purchased the airplane about six months prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1800M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1800M-2018-06-19), registration cancelled 2018-06-19, S/N 18264452, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18264452 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 5555 - Engines: Continental O-470-U13B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cape Flyers LLC. - Registered owner: Cape Flyers LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ILE, KILLEEN, TX - Destination: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 237.6 total, 109 in this make and model, 201.3 as pilot in command, 12.6 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: KPOF, 20 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 20170622009569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170622009569A), Jun 22, 2017: Cessna 182P, Doniphan, MO, Substantial damage. FAA inspectors arrived at the scene approximately 12:00 pm on June 23, 2017, with light rain in the area. The front of the aircraft was considerably damaged,… ## Other investigations on N1800M (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX79FUJ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUJ10), Oct 30, 1978: Cessna 182 (N1800M), Buckeye, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95426. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Joshua Lindberg (CEN Duty Officer) Accident Notification (item 3, .PDF, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Joshua%20Lindberg%20(CEN%20Duty%20Officer)%20Accident%20Notification-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 879 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF 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.