# NTSB LAX04CA147: Cessna 182E, N2819Y, Sonora, CA, March 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2004, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Sonora, CA - Coordinates: 37.95, -120.550003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9500&lon=-120.5500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58869/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA147 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to ensure adequate fuel was aboard, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis The airplane collided with obstacles during an off airport landing in field, following a total loss of engine power. After takeoff, the pilot leveled off at 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The engine began running intermittently and then stopped. He glided away from populated areas below and landed in a field surrounded by hilly terrain. During the emergency landing rollout, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane, and collided with a barbed wire fence. The airplane continued down an embankment, resulting in the nose gear collapsing. The pilot thought the accident could have been prevented if he had accurately checked the fuel quantity prior to departure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2004, about 1220 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182E, N2819Y, collided with obstacles during an off airport forced landing in field near Sonora, California, following a total loss of engine power. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Columbia Airport (O22), Columbia, California, about 1215, with a planned destination of Pine Mountain Lake Airport (Q68), Groveland, California. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after departure, he leveled off at 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl). While adjusting the mixture setting, the engine began to lose power. He placed the mixture back in the full-rich position, in an effort to regain power. The engine began running intermittently and then stopped. He glided away from populated areas below and landed in a field surrounded by hilly terrain. During the emergency landing rollout, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane, and collided with a barbed wire fence. The airplane continued down an embankment, resulting in the nose gear collapsing. During the accident the airplane incurred damage to the firewall, left wing, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot thought that the accident could have been prevented if he had accurately checked the fuel quantity prior to departure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2819Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2819Y-2005-02-16), registration cancelled 2005-02-16, S/N 18253819, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253819 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: O22, Columbia, CA - Destination: Q68, Groveland, CA - Airport: O22, Columbia Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040306002819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040306002819A), Mar 6, 2004: Cessna 182E, Sonora, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had made a flight from groveland, CA (Q68) to O22 (columbia, CA) and was returning to groveland with his daughter in day VMC. After takeoff and… 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.