# NTSB NYC92FA103: Cessna 180G, N4731U, Reynoldsville, PA, June 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1992, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Reynoldsville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.09061, -78.880142 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0906&lon=-78.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED NOT TO REFUEL AT THE AIRPORT WHERE HE HAD CLEARED CUSTOMS.  HE FLEW AN ADDITIONAL 110 NAUTICAL MILES TO ANOTHER AIRPORT FOR REFUELING.  THE ENGINE QUIT AS THE AIRPLANE TURNED ONTO FINAL APPROACH, AND THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN TREES.  APPROXIMATELY 5 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL TANKS.  THE PILOT HANDBOOK STATES THAT 5 GALLONS OF FUEL IS UNUSABLE.  WHEN THE ENGINE WAS PLACED IN A TEST CELL, IT STARTED EASILY AND RAN TO FULL POWER WITH NORMAL INDICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4731U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4731U-2004-05-14), registration cancelled 2004-05-14, S/N 18051431 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180G
- Registry model: [Cessna 180G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180g) (registry code 2072616) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051431
- Airframe hours: 3791
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harry J. Armitage
- Registered owner: Harry J. Armitage
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1992, 22 hours before
- Departed: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Destination: DUJ, DUBOIS, PA
- Airport: DUJ, Dubois-Jefferson Cty., runway 7, 5,504 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 2.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920609019069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920609019069A), Jun 9, 1992: Cessna 180G, Du Bois, PA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Lost power circling to land. Crashed into trees. No usable fuel on board. Had flown max hours without refueling.

## Other investigations on N4731U (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 NYC76FGM44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FGM44), Aug 15, 1976: Cessna 180 (N4731U), Delmont, PA, 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.

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