# NTSB MIA97LA024: Cessna 182C, N8605T, Anderson, SC, November 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 17, 1996, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC) - Place: Anderson, SC - Coordinates: 34.439918, -82.619171 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4399&lon=-82.6192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA024 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper preflight, resulting in the fuel cap(s) not being secured; and subsequent siphoning and loss of fuel, which resulted in loss of engine power, a forced landing, and subsequent collision with a ditch during the emergency landing. ## Analysis The pilot stated he completed a walk-around inspection of the airplane after having it refueled. He did not check the fuel caps to ensure they were secured. He took off, climbed to 3,000 feet, and leveled off in cruise flight. He observed the fuel gauges were indicating empty. The engine sputtered and quit. The pilot made a forced landing to a road and the airplane collided with a ditch on landing roll-out. Examination revealed evidence that fuel had siphoned from the fuel tanks due to loose fuel cap(s). ## Factual narrative On November 17, 1996, about 0100 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182C, N8605T, registered to Pensacola Aviation, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a total loss of engine power in cruise flight. The pilot made a forced landing to a highway in the vicinity of Anderson, South Carolina, and crashed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Atlanta, Georgia, about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated the airplane was refueled at Atlanta, Georgia. He completed a walk around inspection of the airplane, however he did not check the fuel caps. He departed Atlanta and climbed to 3,500 feet msl. He observed the fuel gauges were indicating empty. The engine sputtered and quit. He made a forced landing to a road and the airplane collided with a ditch. Examination of the fuel cap revealed it was not properly secured. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,cap - loose (cause) - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - siphoning (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8605T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8605T-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 52505, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52505 - Airframe hours: 2700 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven S. Killian - Registered owner: Pensacola Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1996, 30 hours before - Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA - Destination: 7A1 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 32 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 2 nm away ## 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 19961117035929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961117035929A), Nov 17, 1996: Cessna 182C, Anderson, SC, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Crash landed on highway in a ditch. Fuel siphoning exhaustion. Fuel caps not secured. (-23) after a 45 minute flight the engine quit.… ## Other investigations on N8605T (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 IAD77DID06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77DID06), Nov 14, 1976: Cessna 182C (N8605T), Lynchburg, VA, 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. --- 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.