# NTSB LAX08LA089: Cessna 180K, N95ME, Redding, CA, March 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2008, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Redding, CA - Coordinates: 40.571109, -122.404441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5711&lon=-122.4044&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67778/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA089 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, while maneuvering on downwind within the airport traffic pattern, he thought the fuel selector valve was on the "left" tank and rotated the handle 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to a position he thought was "both." As the pilot turned onto base leg, he noticed the engine had lost power and initiated a forced landing to an area adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on a rising embankment near the runway and came to rest upright. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the fuel selector valve was actually in the "right" position, and when he rotated the fuel selector handle he had inadvertently positioned the valve to the "off" position. The pilot added that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2008, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N95ME, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern at the Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, California. The airplane was registered to Tres Amigos Flying Club, LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight originated from O85 about 5 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that after departure, he intended to remain within the airport traffic pattern to practice a series of landings. As the airplane was abeam the runway numbers for runway 33, the pilot extended 10 degrees of flaps and began configuring the airplane for landing. The pilot stated that he thought the fuel selector valve was on the "left" tank and rotated the handle 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to a position he thought was "both." The pilot initiated a turn to base leg when he realized the airplane was slightly low and attempted to increase the engine power setting. He noticed that the engine had lost power and immediately retracted the flaps while initiating a forced landing to an area southwest of runway 33. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on a rising embankment near the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot added that the fuel selector valve was actually in the "right" position and when he rotated the fuel selector handle, he had inadvertently positioned the valve to the "off" position. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95ME-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 18052783 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052783 - Airframe hours: 6883 - Engines: Continental O-470-027 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eric W. Marshall - Registered owner: Tres Amigos Flying Club LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007, 83 hours before - Departed: O85, REDDING, CA - Airport: O85, Benton Field Airport, runway 33, 2,420 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 944 total, 104 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: RDD, 6 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 20080330014099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080330014099A), Mar 30, 2008: Cessna 180K, Redding, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 3/30/2008, the FAA operations center reported accident near Benton Field (O85) in Redding, California, involving a Cessna 180K, N95ME. According to… 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.