# NTSB SEA85LA220: Cessna 182A, N4774D, Vancouver, WA, September 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1985, 20:00 local (Sep 22, 1985, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Vancouver, WA
- Coordinates: 45.620712, -122.569473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6207&lon=-122.5695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - flight manuals - misread, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway end ident lights(reil) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT HIS INTENDED DESTINATION DUE TO THE RWY EDGE AND END LIGHTS BEING INOPERATIVE. THE PLT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY ARPT BUT FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. THE ACFT WAS LANDED ON AN OVERPASS AND DURING THE ROLLOUT, VEERED AND STRUCK TREES. THE PLT REPORTED THE ACFT CONTAINS 2 GALS OF UNUSEABLE FUEL, HOWEVER, THE ACFT FLT MANUAL REPORTS 10 GALS OF FUEL IS UNUSEABLE. APRX 9 GALS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4774D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4774D-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 34874 (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: 34874
- Airframe hours: 2331
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Chulwfas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: 0S6, VANCOUVER, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 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 19850921059589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850921059589A), Sep 21, 1985: Cessna 182A, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Struck tree during forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Pilot did not know unusable fuel quantity or check NOTAMS

## Other investigations on N4774D (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 NYC72FGM38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FGM38), Mar 29, 1972: Cessna 182 (N4774D), Sharon, 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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