# NTSB SEA95LA081: Cessna 180D, N180WH, Nyssa, OR, April 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1995, 18:50 local (Apr 15, 1995, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Nyssa, OR - Coordinates: 43.730686, -117.149116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7307&lon=-117.1491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA081 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL EN ROUTE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - utility pole ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT FOR A TOTAL OF 60 GALS BEFORE DEPARTURE. WITHIN 20 MI OF HIS DESTINATION THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A HIGHWAY, AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A POLE. ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL REMAINED IN THE TANKS. THE AIRCRAFT SHOULD HAVE CONSUMED APPROXIMATELY 52 GALS OF FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT. TOTAL FUEL CAPACITY FOR THE AIRCRAFT IS 65 GALS, OF WHICH 55 ARE USABLE IN ALL FLIGHT CONDITIONS, AND 62 ARE USABLE FOR LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT HE MADE SOME DIVERSIONS DURING THE FLIGHT FOR WEATHER. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1995, approximately 1850 mountain daylight time, N180WH, a Cessna 180D, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a power pole during a forced landing near Nyssa, Oregon, after fuel exhaustion. The private pilot and his wife, the two occupants, were uninjured. A visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the pleasure flight, which had departed Sonoma County airport, Santa Rosa, California, approximately 1350 Pacific daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There was no fire and the ELT activated, but did not aid in locating the accident site. The pilot stated that he had refueled prior to departure, for a total capacity of 60 gallons. He stated that he started descent for Ontario, Oregon about 20 miles out, at 8500 feet. At about 5500 feet, the engine started to quit, and he attempted to keep it running by switching fuel tanks, but was unsuccessful. He performed a forced landing on highway 2201, near Nyssa, Oregon. The aircraft impacted a pole with the right wing, causing substantial damage. An FAA inspector who went to the accident site stated that only residual fuel remained in the fuel tanks. The pilot stated that adequate fuel should have remained in the aircraft for the flight, according to his experience operating the aircraft. The owner's manual states that total fuel capacity is 65 gallons, with 55 gallons usable in all flight conditions, and 62 gallons usable for level flight only. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180WH), registered now, S/N 18050972, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180D - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18050972 - Airframe hours: 4815 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pappe, Phillip R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1994, 33 hours before - Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA - Destination: ONO, ONTARIO, OR - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 541 total, 120 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19950414030609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950414030609A), Apr 14, 1995: Cessna 180D, Nyssa, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power on descent to airport, struck a pole landing on highway. Fuel tanks were empty. Had flown five hours. ## Other investigations on N180WH (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 ANC98LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA127), Aug 19, 1998: Cessna 180 (N180WH), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were soft airstrip conditions, and trees. 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.