# NTSB NYC03LA009: Cessna 182B, N2718G, Hartwood, VA, October 18, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 18, 2002, 15:12 local (19:12 UTC) - Place: Hartwood, VA - Coordinates: 38.484443, -77.612777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4844&lon=-77.6128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-27 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55935/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA009 ## 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, descent - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Approximately 1 hour into flight, the engine lost all power, and the pilot attempted a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a tree located at the approach end of the field. The pilot initially reported that he departed with 2 inches of fuel in each tank, with the intention of flying 1 hour. The pilot subsequently stated that he had departed with 23 gallons of fuel. Examination of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in either fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On October 18, 2002, about 1512 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182B, N2718G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power in cruise flight near Hartwood, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local maintenance flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the Virginia State Police, the pilot reported that he departed Hartwood Airport (8W8), Somerville, Virginia, with "2 inches" of fuel in each tank. The pilot flew over the local area for approximately 1 hour, before the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had departed 8W8 with 23 gallons of fuel, with the intention of conducting a 1 hour maintenance flight. The pilot further stated that prior to the flight, the sparkplugs were changed, and some minor adjustments were made to the engine. According to the tachometer, after 1 hour, while descending toward 8W8, the engine lost all power. The pilot established a best glide speed of 70-75 mph, and moved the fuel selector through its entire range, with no change in engine performance. The power loss occurred about 2,500 feet msl, over a wooded area. The pilot did not think he could glide the airplane to 8W8, and attempted to land in a field. During the landing, the airplane stuck a tree at the approach end of the field. It then came to rest in the field, at an approximate 80 degree nose down attitude. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that their was no fuel in either fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2718G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2718G-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 52018, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182B - Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52018 - Airframe hours: 5375 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hartwood Aviation - Registered owner: Lorna C Brignolia - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2002, 65 hours before - Departed: 8W8, Somerville, VA - Destination: 8W8 - Airport: 8W, Hartwood, runway 35, 2,470 × 35 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,989 total, 602 in this make and model, 1,857 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 10 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 20021018032679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021018032679A), Oct 18, 2002: Cessna 182B, Somerville, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Approximately 1 hour after take off aircraft lost power and impacted ground. Investigation revealed aircraft did not have sufficient fuel in tanks. Pilot… 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.