# NTSB WPR15LA201: Cessna 182D, N9980T, Oak Harbor, WA, June 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2015, 20:13 local (Jun 30, 2015, 03:13 UTC) - Place: Oak Harbor, WA - Coordinates: 48.25, -122.655281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2500&lon=-122.6553&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 19, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Textron Aviation, Continental Motors, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA201 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that, during a skydiving flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power during final approach for landing. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field, and during the landing sequence, the airplane impacted a tree. No fuel was observed in the fuel tanks or fuel lines during recovery of the wreckage. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The company fuel log indicated that about 18.2 gallons of useable fuel were onboard the accident airplane before the first flight of the day; the accident occurred during the third flight. Although the amount of fuel onboard would have likely been adequate for three of the operator's 20-minute average flights, several flight delays occurred, and the airplane was flown a total of 2.1 hours between the three flights. Given the airplane's average fuel consumption, the fuel consumed during the three flights closely corresponded to the fuel available at the beginning of the day. Therefore, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2015, about 2013 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182D, N9980T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during an approach for landing at the AJ Eisenberg Airport (OKH) Oak Harbor, Washington. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Sinclair Aviation LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the skydiving flight. The local flight departed OKH about 1935. The pilot reported that the engine lost power during the final turn to the runway. Not being able to make the runway, he initiated a forced landing to a field, just south of the airport. During the landing sequence, the airplane struck a tree. The first responder's, on-scene commander, did not observe any fuel leaking from the airplane. Further, another witness, observed only a small amount of fuel dripping from the airplane at the accident site. Postaccident examination of the airplane at the accident site, by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the following morning, revealed that substantial damage was sustained to the wings and fuselage. Further, there was no fuel leaking from the airplane or remaining in the tanks. The ground below the accident site appeared to be dry, and no fuel stains were visible. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. According to the airplane's owner, during the recovery, no fuel was observed in the fuel tanks or lines. Further examination of the airframe and engine by the National Transportation Safety Board, investigator-in-charge, and a representative from Textron Aviation, and Continental Motors, revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would preclude normal operation. Only a small amount of fuel was observed in the carburetor bowl. A company fuel log indicated that the accident airplane had about 12.6 gallons of useable fuel on board at the start of the day. According to the owner, and the company fuel log, the airplane was refueled on the day of the accident, for an amount of 5.6 gallons, and his review of receipts confirmed this. Therefore, the total amount of fuel on the airplane on the first flight was estimated to be about 18.2 gallons. According to the owner, the average jump flight was usually about 20 minutes in duration, but on the accident day, air traffic control delays were encountered that extended the flights. According to the company fuel log, the accident occurred on the third flight of the day, after the airplane was flown for about 2.1 flight hours. According to the owner, the average fuel burn of the accident airplane was about 14 gallons an hour. The airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) fuel burn charts did not replicate the jump profile flown, where the airplane climbs and then descends back to the airfield. However, mostof the cruise flight profiles fuel burn rates were lower. The airplane's POH states that 10 gallons of fuel were unusable during all flight conditions. However, in level flight conditions, only 1.5 gallons per tank was unusable. Potentially, 7 additional gallons would have been available, if the airplane was flown in level flight conditions. The fuel consumption for 2.1 flight hours flown the day of the accident was calculated using the company burn rate average and then compared to the accident airplane's total fuel quantity, which included the additional 7 gallons of fuel available in level flight conditions. The airplane's fuel burn rate closely corresponded to the consumption of all the remaining fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9980T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9980T-2016-12-08), registration cancelled 2016-12-08, S/N 18253080, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253080 - Year built: 1960 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 2015 - Departed: OKH, OAK HARBOR, WA - Destination: OKH, OAK HARBOR, WA - Airport: OKH, Aj Eisenberg - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,020 total, 57 in this make and model, 889 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: NUW, 6 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 20150629011039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150629011039A), Jun 29, 2015: Cessna 182D, Oak Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft sustained loss of power with complete engine stoppage during the approach/landing phase of flight. Aircraft impacted with a tree which terminated any… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91464. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Airframe and Engine Examination Report (item 3, .PDF, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Record of Email (item 4, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email-Master.PDF - POH Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 509 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=POH%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Fuel Quanity Chart (item 6, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Quanity%20Chart-Master.PDF - Fuel Log (item 7, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Log-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 8, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458366&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.