# NTSB SEA05CA045: Cessna 182G, N3127S, Redmond, OR, February 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 4, 2005, 13:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Redmond, OR - Coordinates: 44.274166, -121.108055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2742&lon=-121.1081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61068/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Trees were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed with about 30 gallons of fuel on board and about 2.5 hours of expected flying time. While en route, the aircraft encountered higher than expected headwinds. The pilot noted clouds building up over the terrain east of Madras, Oregon, the flights destination and diverted to the south towards Redmond. The pilot reported that he was getting low on fuel and selected the right side fuel tank which was the lowest on fuel The pilot stated that when the needle indicated "no sloshing", he noted the time. Five minutes later the EGT indicated exhaustion of fuel in that tank and the engine began to faulter. The pilot then switched to the left fuel tank. When about three minutes from Redmond, the EGT rose followed by the loss of engine power. The pilot executed an off airport forced landing to a clearing where during the landing roll, the aircraft collided with trees. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2005, about 1350 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182G, N3127S, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power followed by an off airport forced landing to a field located about 2 miles northeast of Roberts Field, Redmond, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The aircraft departed from Walla Walla, Washington, about one hour and thirty minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he departed from Walla Walla with about 30 gallons of fuel on board and about 2.5 hours of expected flying time. While en route, the aircraft encountered higher than expected headwinds near Lexington, Oregon. The pilot noted clouds building up over the terrain east of Madras, Oregon, the flights destination and diverted to the south towards Redmond. The pilot reported that he was getting low on fuel and selected the right side fuel tank which was the lowest on fuel The pilot stated that when the needle indicated "no sloshing", he noted the time. Five minutes later the EGT indicated exhaustion of fuel in that tank and the engine began to faulter. The pilot then switched to the left fuel tank. When about three minutes from Redmond, the EGT rose followed by the loss of engine power. The pilot executed an off airport forced landing to a clearing where during the landing roll, the aircraft collided with trees. Post accident inspection of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office reported that very little fuel was found in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3127S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3127S-2005-06-08), registration cancelled 2005-06-08, S/N 18255627, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255627 - Engines: Continental O-470-R reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul H. Jensen - Registered owner: Paul H. Jensen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ALW, Walla Walla, WA - Destination: RDM, Redmond, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,378 total, 850 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050204001089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050204001089A), Feb 4, 2005: Cessna 182G, Redmond, OR, Destroyed. (-23) Airplane was enroute from walla walla, WA to madras, OR and diverted toward Redmond, OR (rdm) due to weather and low fuel. Aircraft was cleared to land… ## Other investigations on N3127S (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 OAK69D0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69D0091), Jul 13, 1968: Cessna 182 (N3127S), Annapolis, CA, 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. --- 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.