# NTSB LAX91LA082: Cessna 182, N8900X, Show Low, AZ, January 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1991, 20:35 local (Jan 26, 1991, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Show Low, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.229915, -110.070838 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2299&lon=-110.0708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA082

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  A FACTOR WAS INOPERATIVE FUEL GAUGES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 182 EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE.  THE PILOT STATED HE SWITCHED TANKS, APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND ENRICHENED THE MIXTURE TO NO AVAIL.  HE STATED THAT THE WAY IT STOPPED HE SUSPECTED NO FUEL.  THE FUEL GUAGES WERE REPORTED TO BE INOPERATIVE.  THE PILOT STATED HE WAS QUANTIFYING HIS FUEL USAGE WITH A FUEL LOG BOOK. AFTER THE CRASH THE PILOT STATED HE INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS AND THEYY APPEARED TO BE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8900X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8900X-1991-06-14), registration cancelled 1991-06-14, S/N 18253300 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond D. Carson
- Registered owner: Raymond D. Carson
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PO6, CHANDLER, AZ
- Destination: SOW, SHOWLOW, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 768 total, 115 in this make and model, 661 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910125001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910125001069A), Jan 25, 1991: Cessna 182D, Show Low, AZ, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel at night near destination. Crash landing in trees. Empty fuel tanks. Gauges inop. No visual check.

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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