# NTSB LAX97LA147: Cessna 182D, N9000X, Tucson, AZ, April 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1997, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.41014, -110.949836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4101&lon=-110.9498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA147 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the inadequate preflight inspections performed by both pilots. A factor in the accident was the crosswind experienced during landing rollout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot passenger (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The owner reported that he had purchased the airplane from the pilot the day before the accident flight. The purpose of the flight was to familiarize himself with the airplane. Prior to departure he and the pilot had performed portions of the preflight inspection. He had not examined the fuel tanks to determine the quantity of fuel onboard, but believed both of the fuel tank gauges registered about 1/4 full. During initial climb the engine surged several times and all power was lost. According to the owner, he then relinquished control to the right seated pilot. The right seated pilot made a forced landing in a southerly direction on a nearby road. During rollout the airplane encountered a strong westerly crosswind, veered off the road, and collided with a dirt embankment. The owner subsequently reported that he suspected the airplane ran out of gas. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1997, at 1450 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 182D, N9000X, operated by the owner, experienced a total loss of engine power while climbing near the La Cholla Airpark, Tucson, Arizona. The pilot made a forced landing on a road and collided with a dirt embankment during rollout. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, and neither the airline transport certificated pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger (owner) was injured. The flight originated near Tucson around 1430. According to the owner, he held a commercial pilot certificate and was seated in the airplane's left front seat. The owner reported that he had purchased the airplane from the pilot the day before the accident flight. The purpose of the flight was, in part, to familiarize himself with the airplane. The owner planned to fly the airplane during the entire flight. However, after takeoff the engine surged several times and then all power was lost. The owner reported that he relinquished control of the airplane to the right seated pilot, and for the remainder of the flight he did not handle the controls. The right seated pilot made the forced landing in a southerly direction on a nearby road. During rollout the airplane encountered a strong westerly crosswind and veered off the road. The owner further indicated that both he and the pilot had performed portions of the preflight inspection. However, he had not examined the fuel tanks to confirm the quantity of fuel onboard. He believed that both of the fuel tank gauges had registered about 1/4 full during the flight. The owner stated that he suspected the airplane "ran out of gas." According to Federal Aviation Administration records, in addition to an ATP certificate, the pilot held an airplane flight instructor certificate (expired) and an airplane mechanic certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9000X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9000X), registered now, S/N 18253400 (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: 18253400 - Airframe hours: 4024 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William D. Tiley - Registered owner: David S. Fowler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: 40E - Airport: 40E, La Cholla Airpark, runway 19, 4,000 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °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 19970405041279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970405041279A), Apr 5, 1997: Cessna 182D, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power climbout to cruise. Failed visualy check fuel. Suspect out of fuel. Landed on road. Ran off into ditch. (.4) the owner reported that he had… 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.