# NTSB LAX96LA288: Cessna 182, N8787X, Weed, CA, July 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1996, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Weed, CA - Coordinates: 41.510299, -122.360275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5103&lon=-122.3603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29522 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29522/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA288 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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 - fuel system,tank - starvation (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot departed on a 3-hour personal cross-country flight. He had been airborne for 2.5 hours when he experience a loss of engine power. He enriched the mixture and applied carburetor heat. He declared an emergency and was given an airport 10 miles ahead of him. Subsequently, he determined that he could not make the airport and he looked for a place to land. During a routine scan of the controls, he switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the both position. The usable fuel per tank in this airplane is 27.5 gallons. There was 17 gallons found in the left fuel tank and .5 in the right tank. The carburetor bowl and the fuel gascolator were found to be dry. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1996, at 1140 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182, N8787X, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Weed, California. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Eatonville, Washington, at 0900 on the morning of the accident. The pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing prior to departure. He stated to the briefer that he was en route to Red Bluff, California, and he estimated 3 hours. In cruise flight the pilot was receiving flight following services from the Seattle Center. At 1135, the pilot reported a loss of engine power and requested vectors to the nearest airport. The Center advised that the Weed Airport was at 12 o'clock and 10 miles. The pilot reported that after takeoff he set the fuel selector for the right fuel tank. Approximately 2.5 hours into the flight he experienced an engine loss of power. He stated that he made a right turn away from mountainous terrain. He enriched the mixture and applied carburetor heat, which appeared to help momentarily. He squawked 7700 and radioed flight watch with a mayday. He established a glide and attempted to utilize his GPS to navigate to Weed, but mis-entered the identifier. He determined that he could not make it to Weed and began looking for a place to land. Subsequently, in a routine scan of the controls, he switched the fuel valve to both. The usable fuel per tank in this airplane is 27.5 gallons. Postaccident examination quantified 17 gallons remaining in the left fuel tank and .5 gallons in the right tank. The carburetor and the fuel gascolator were found to be dry. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8787X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8787X-1997-02-24), registration cancelled 1997-02-24, S/N 18253187 (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: 18253187 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin J. Ellsworth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996, 90 hours before - Departed: WA2O, EATONVILLE, WA - Destination: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 151 total, 138 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - 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 19960723019599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960723019599A), Jul 23, 1996: Cessna 182D, Weed, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost an engine 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. --- 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.