# NTSB MKC86LA145: Cessna 182A, N4773D, Davis City, IA, July 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1986, 15:58 local (20:58 UTC)
- Place: Davis City, IA
- Coordinates: 40.639556, -93.809143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6396&lon=-93.8091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA145

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

STATEMENTS FROM FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATION PERSONNEL INDICATE THAT THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE BUT THAT A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED FOR THE 600 MILE TRIP. RECORDS SHOW THAT THE FLT LASTED 05:28 HOURS BEFORE THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT FOUR MILES SHORT OF ITS DESTINATION AIRPORT. ENDURANCE CALCULATIONS BASED ON 11 G.P.H. AND A 600 NM DISTANCE, CORRECTING FOR NON STANDARD TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE REVEAL A USABLE FUEL BURN TIME OF 5 HOURS AND 25 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4773D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4773D-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 34873 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34873
- Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clayton M. Holbrook
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 31, 1985
- Departed: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Destination: 30I, LAMONI, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 301, 4 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 19860707030909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860707030909A), Jul 7, 1986: Cessna 182A, Davis City, IA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft landed off airport. The pilot failed to plan fuel reserves.

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.