# NTSB GAA19CA336: Cessna 180, N3242D, Ontario, OR, June 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 10, 2019, 12:57 local (19:57 UTC) - Place: Ontario, OR - Coordinates: 44.019443, -117.013053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0194&lon=-117.0131&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99618/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99618 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA336 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072602), [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. - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach to the destination airport, the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine to no avail, and the airplane impacted a perimeter fence short of the runway. The pilot added that postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had run out of fuel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the approach to the destination airport, the engine lost power. Despite his attempt, he could not restart the engine and the airplane impacted a perimeter fence short of the runway. The pilot stated that the examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that he ran out of gas. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3242D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3242D-2020-06-19), registration cancelled 2020-06-19, S/N 32040, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (Undesignat) - 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: 32040 - Year built: 1955 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: ONO, Ontario, OR - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: ONO, Ontario Muni, runway 33, 5,006 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KONO ## 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 20190610006569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190610006569A), Jun 10, 2019: Cessna 180, Ontario, OR, Substantial damage. Flight departed mina, NV with the intention of landing in Ontario, Oregon. The pilot stated that he began a long descent from 8500' to the runway. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N3242D (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 WPR12CA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA086), Jan 30, 2012: Cessna 180 (N3242D), Cascade, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind gust during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was a windsock partially sheltered by trees that provided… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99618. 317 KB in all. - Record of Memorandum (item 1, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.