# NTSB GAA17CA529: Cessna 182, N735KQ, Fairfield, MT, September 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 6, 2017, 18:45 local (Sep 7, 2017, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, MT - Coordinates: 47.639999, -111.966392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6400&lon=-111.9664&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA529 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95987/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95987 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA529 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to secure the right fuel cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, he realized the airplane was "very low on fuel." He added that, with air traffic control's assistance, he diverted to an airport along his route, which was about 30 nautical miles from the intended destination. He further added that he had difficulty locating the airport visually, and when he did locate the runway, the airplane was "too high" to land. Subsequently, as the pilot continued descending and maneuvering toward the runway, the engine lost power, and he landed in a field. He added that, the airplane "hit the field hard," bounced, and struck a utility pole before stopping. The pilot further reported in the NTSB Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report that he was informed that no fuel was found in the airplane and that the right fuel cap was not installed. He reported that he added fuel to both fuel tanks at the departure airport and that there was a "possibility/ likelihood" that he did not secure the right fuel cap during preflight. He added that, during the diversion, he did not complete the "forced landing checklist." The airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, he realized the airplane was "very low on fuel." He added that, with air traffic control's assistance, he diverted to an airport along his route, which was about 30 nautical miles from the intended destination. He further added that he had difficulty locating the airport visually, and when he did locate the runway, the airplane was "too high" to land. Subsequently, as the pilot continued descending and maneuvering toward the runway, the engine lost power, and he landed in a field. He added that, the airplane "hit the field hard," bounced, and struck a utility pole prior to stopping. The pilot further reported in the NTSB Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report, that he was informed that no fuel was found in the airplane and that the right fuel cap was not installed. He reported that he added fuel to both fuel tanks at the departure airport and there was a "possibility/ likelihood" that he did not secure the right fuel cap during preflight. He added that during the diversion, he did not complete the "forced landing checklist." The airplane was destroyed. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N735KQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N735KQ-2019-02-07), registration cancelled 2019-02-07, S/N 18265488, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (Q) - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18265488 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2473.5 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2017 - Departed: AWO, ARLINGTON, WA - Destination: GPI, KALISPELL, MT - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 5U5, Fairfield, runway 18, 3,800 × 40 ft, dirt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 576.5 total, 44.2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KGTF, 26 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 20170906010599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170906010599A), Sep 6, 2017: Cessna 182Q, Fairfield, MT, Destroyed. On 9/6/17 at 2030, N735KQ, a Cessna 182Q, crashed 3/4 of a mile from Fairfield, MT (5U5) airport after running out of fuel. The aircraft departed arlington, WA… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95987. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.