# NTSB MKC84FA271: Cessna R182, N756TN, Ottumwa, IA, September 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1984, 02:52 local (07:52 UTC)
- Place: Ottumwa, IA
- Coordinates: 41.010364, -92.410011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0104&lon=-92.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA271

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENTERED IMC WEATHER, THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & CRUISED WITHOUT ATC NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE AFTER FAILING TO MAKE RADIO CONTACT OR FILE A FLT PLAN. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PLT FLEW UNTIL ACFT POWER WAS LOST DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE RESULTANT FORCED LANDING ON ROUGH & UNEVEN TERRAIN ON A FOGGY DARK NIGHT RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. THE VISIBILITY WAS ESTIMATED AS 1/4 OF A MILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N756TN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756TN-2013-02-26), registration cancelled 2013-02-26, S/N R18201152, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R182
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18201152
- Airframe hours: 1266
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas L. Jennings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1983, 98 hours before
- Departed: DPA, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: 3GV, GRAIN VALLEY, MO
- Airport: OTM, Ottumwa Indust., runway 31, 6,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 151 total, 57 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 61 °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 19840909047839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840909047839A), Sep 9, 1984: Cessna R182, Ottumwa, IA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel at night on approach to an airport after prior attempts at various airports.

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.