# NTSB WPR12CA257: Cessna 182A, N4715D, Colfax, WA, June 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2012, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Colfax, WA - Coordinates: 46.878334, -117.365837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8783&lon=-117.3658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83918/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83918 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA257 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the missing carburetor drain plug, which had not been secured with safety wire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Inspection: post maintenance inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after leveling off and beginning the cruise portion of the cross-country flight, the engine lost all power. The private pilot/owner performed a forced landing on a highway; however, just before the landing flare, the airplane’s vertical stabilizer struck a power cable and partially separated from the tailcone. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor drain plug was missing. The pilot stated that he had flown the airplane using automotive gasoline about 2 months before the accident. When the engine was subsequently difficult to start, the pilot removed the carburetor drain plug to purge the system of automotive fuel. He stated that he did not use safety wire to secure the plug after performing this operation. Maintenance personnel examined the carburetor after the pilot reported that the engine was running rough (about 2 months before the accident) and again during the airplane’s annual inspection (about 1 month before the accident). Although maintenance personnel reported that on both occasions the drain plug was secured with safety wire, physical evidence suggested that the drain plug had never been secured with safety wire. Because of the contradictory statements and inconclusive evidence, it was not possible to determine who was responsible for the unsecured drain plug. ## Factual narrative Shortly after leveling off and beginning the cruise portion of the cross-country flight, the engine lost all power. The private pilot/owner performed a forced landing onto a highway; however, just prior to the landing flare, the vertical stabilizer struck a power cable, and became partially separated from the tailcone. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor drain plug was missing. The pilot, who did not hold an airframe and power plant mechanics certificate, had flown the airplane using automotive gasoline about 2 months prior to the accident. The engine experienced starting problems during that period, and as such, he decided to remove the carburetor drain plug in order to purge the system of automotive fuel. He did not utilize safety wire to secure the plug after performing this operation. The carburetor was examined at a maintenance facility during its annual inspection, 1 month prior to the accident, as well as 2 months prior when it was examined after the pilot reported that the engine was running rough. Maintenance personnel reported that on both occasions the drain plug was secured with safety wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4715D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4715D), registered now, S/N 34815, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34815 - Airframe hours: 3813 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2012, 4 hours before - Departed: KLWS, Lewiston, ID - Destination: KSFF, Spokane, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: S94, Colfax ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 4,187 total, 751 in this make and model, 4,187 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KSFF, 54 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 20120611015119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120611015119A), Jun 11, 2012: Cessna 182A, Colfax, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on personal flight from lewiston, id to spokane, WA. Just north of Colfax, WA engine lost power. Pilot landed on north-south highway approximately… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83918. 7.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372085&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Logbook Excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Mechanic (item 5, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Vertical Stabilizer Damage (item 6, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%20Damage-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Carburetor Bowl (item 7, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Carburetor%20Bowl-Master.PDF 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.