# NTSB NYC02LA074: Cessna 182C, N8667T, Moneta, VA, March 24, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 2002, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Moneta, VA - Coordinates: 37.17889, -79.616111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1789&lon=-79.6161&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-21 - NTSB case key (mKey): 54404 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54404/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54404 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis After releasing parachutists, the pilot planned to return to the airport. During the descent, about 2,500 feet msl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot thought that carburetor ice caused the power loss, and performed emergency procedures, which included the application of carburetor heat. The engine did not regain power, and the pilot planned an emergency landing to a field. As the pilot began to flare, the engine power returned, and he performed a go-around. During the go-around, about 50 feet agl, the engine began to lose power again. The pilot then attempted to land in a smaller field with an up-sloping incline. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest. The pilot stated that he departed with 12 gallons of fuel, and did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. However, the pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he either experienced carburetor ice or ran out of fuel. The FAA inspector did not find any fuel in the left fuel tank, and found less than 1 gallon of fuel in the right fuel tank. He did not find any fuel in the fuel line to the carburetor, nor the gascolator. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2002, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182C, N8667T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Smith Mountain Lake Airport (W91), Moneta, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the parachuting flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot's written statement, about 1330, he departed W91 with parachutists. After reaching a sufficient altitude, the parachutists jumped, and the pilot returned to the airport. During the descent, about 2,500 feet msl, the engine began to "sputter and cough." The pilot thought carburetor ice caused the power loss, and performed emergency procedures, which included the application of carburetor heat. The engine did not regain power, and the pilot planned an emergency landing to a field. As the pilot approached the field and began to flare, the engine power returned, and he performed a go-around. During the go-around, about 50 feet agl, the engine began to "sputter and cough" again. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a smaller field with an up-sloping incline. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. The pilot further stated that he departed with 12 gallons of fuel, and did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector observed the airplane situated on sloping terrain, and the right wing was pointed down-slope. He noted that the nose landing gear had collapsed into the firewall. The inspector added that he did not find any fuel in the left fuel tank, and observed less than 1 gallon of fuel in the right fuel tank. He did not find any fuel in the fuel line to the carburetor, nor the gascolator. The inspector did observe approximately 2 tablespoons of fuel in the carburetor. Additionally, he stated that there was no evidence of fuel leakage. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he either experienced carburetor ice or ran out of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8667T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8667T-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 52567, built 1926 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52567 - Airframe hours: 6859 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Cockrell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: W91, Moneta, VA - Destination: W91 - Airport: W91, Smith Mountain Lake Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 486 total, 8 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LYH, 20 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 20020324004709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020324004709A), Mar 24, 2002: Cessna 182C, Moneta, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 24, at about 1300, during approach to land at the Smith Mountain Lake Airport (W91) the aircraft engine quit at approximately 2500 feet MSL. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54404. 555 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40167674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF 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.