# NTSB LAX91LA174: Cessna 182B, N7290E, Madera, CA, April 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1991, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.479557, -119.499954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4796&lon=-119.5000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA174

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT'S FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATION WERE INACCURATE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE INITIAL PARACHUTE JUMPING FLIGHT THE PILOT DIPPED STICKED BOTH TANKS AND DETERMINED THAT THEY CONTAINED 23 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT INACCURATELY CALCULATED THAT THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH FUEL TO CONDUCT THE INITIAL AND SECOND FLIGHT BEFORE FUELING WOULD BE REQUIRED. AFTER THE PARACHUTE JUMPER DEPARTED THE AIRPLANE ON THE SECOND FLIGHT AND DURING THE NORMAL DESCENT TO THE AIRPORT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A GRAPE VINEYARD BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE THE AIRPORT.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A UNMARKED TRANSMISSION WIRE AND CRASHED DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE AIRPLANE CONTAINED ABOUT 8 GALLONS OF FUEL, THE UNUSABLE AMOUNT FOR ALL ATTITUDES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7290E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7290E), registered now, S/N 52290 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18252290
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: David Gilbert
- Registered owner: David Gilbert
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,028 total, 34 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 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 19910412010239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910412010239A), Apr 12, 1991: Cessna 182B, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning after jumpers away. Struck powerline during forced landing and crashed.

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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