# NTSB LAX87LA347: Cessna 182D, N8711X, San Ramon, CA, September 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1987, 15:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: San Ramon, CA
- Coordinates: 37.778999, -121.990562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7790&lon=-121.9906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA347
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA347

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TELLING THE LINEMAN AT CALEXICO, CA TO FILL THE TANKS, THE PLT WALKED AWAY FROM THE ACFT TO CLEAR CUSTOMS. WHEN HE RETURNED, HE LOADED HIS PASSENGERS INTO THE ACFT AND DEPARTED THE ARPT. AFTER FLYING 3 AND 1/2 HOURS THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE ACFT WAS FORCE LANDED ONTO A GOLF COURSE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AGAINST A BARBED WIRE FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THEY WERE BOTH EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8711X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8711X), registered now, S/N 18253111 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253111
- Airframe hours: 3677
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gruber, Thomas I.
- Registered owner: Thomas I Gruber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1986, 53 hours before
- Departed: CXL, CALEXICO, CA
- Destination: 069, PETALUMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,003 total, 500 in this make and model, 855 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870926056649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870926056649A), Sep 26, 1987: Cessna 182D, San Ramon, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and landed on a golf course. Failed to note lineman had not topped tanks and failed to monitor fuel

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.

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