# NTSB LAX90LA183: Cessna 182, N3157F, Santa Ynez, CA, May 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 08:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ynez, CA
- Coordinates: 34.639305, -120.020736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6393&lon=-120.0207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT AND SECURE THE FUEL SYSTEM CAPS WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL SIPHONING 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(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,cap - loose (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - siphoning (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel system - not maintained, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REFUELED WITH THE 20 GALLONS OF FUEL IMMEDIATLEY PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. ABOUT ONE HOUR INTO THE 1.5 HOUR PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT THE LEFT TANK INDICATED 3/4 FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK 1/8. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A GRAPE VINEYARD AND FLIPPED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED HEAVY FUEL STAINS FROM BOTH FUEL CAPS AFT ON TOP OF THE WING SURFACES AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS. THE FUEL TANKS APPEARED TO BE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3157F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3157F-1995-01-24), registration cancelled 1995-01-24, S/N 18257257 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18257257
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Honaker
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: LO5, KERNVILLE, CA
- Destination: 1ZA, SANTA YNEZ, CA
- Airport: IZA, Santa Ynez, runway 26, 2,804 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 875 total, 185 in this make and model, 769 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900519016879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519016879A), May 19, 1990: Cessna 182J, Santa Ynez, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near airport but crash landed short. Fuel stains from leaking fuel cap on top of wing.

## Other investigations on N3157F (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 OAK71DVG53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71DVG53), Feb 10, 1971: Cessna 182 (N3157F), Placerville, CA, substantial damage

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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