# NTSB WPR24LA206: Cessna 182A, N4059D, Spokane Valley, WA, June 24, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 23, 2024, 19:42 local (Jun 24, 2024, 02:42 UTC) - Place: Spokane Valley, WA · Horizon Middle School Spokane Valley - Coordinates: 47.621631, -117.23473 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6216&lon=-117.2347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194538/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194538 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA206 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and 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. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he planned a three-hour round trip cross-country flight. After landing at the destination, he conducted a walkaround inspection of the airplane before departing on the return flight but did not visually confirm the airplane’s fuel quantity. While enroute, he noted that the fuel quantity indications were low, and about 5 miles from the destination airport, the engine began to sputter, then lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and accident site revealed no fuel in either fuel tank. Both fuel tanks were intact, and there were no signs of fuel leakage on the ground surrounding the airplane. According to the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot later indicated that the airplane ran out of fuel due to high gross weight, high temperatures, and stronger than expected headwinds, and that his actual fuel consumption rate was about 3 gallons per hour more than he had calculated before the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2024, about 1942 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A airplane, N4059D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Spokane Valley, Washington. The pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported he had planned a 3-hour cross-country flight and calculated a fuel consumption rate of 12.5 gallons per hour, for an estimated total fuel consumption of 37.5 gallons. The pilot stated that he estimated the tanks to be more than three-quarters full prior to departure from his origination airport. The pilot landed at Moose Creek United States Forest Service (USFS) Airport (1U1), Moose Creek Ranger Station, Idaho. Before departing on the return flight, he conducted a walkaround inspection of the airplane but did not confirm the airplane’s fuel quantity. During the return flight, the pilot observed both fuel gauge indications to be low. About 5 miles from the destination, the engine began to sputter. After climbing to gain altitude, the engine lost total power. The pilot was unable to reach the destination runway and performed a forced landing in a school playground. The airplane landed hard, which collapsed the right main and nose landing gear and resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Wreckage recovery personnel reported that they did not observe or recover any fuel residue in the wreckage or detect any odor of fuel at the accident site. They did not observe any noticeable discoloration of the surrounding vegetation. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. The pilot later reported that the airplane “suffered from fuel starvation” due to increased fuel consumption as a result of high gross weight, high temperatures, and stronger than expected headwinds during the flight. He estimated that his fuel consumption rate was likely around 15 gallons per hour. According to the airplane manufacturer, the accident airplane’s total fuel capacity was 65 gallons, of which 55 gallons was usable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4059D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4059D-2026-03-23), registration cancelled 2026-03-23, S/N 34759, 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: 34759 - Year built: 1957 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 -L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Coeur LLC - Registered owner: Air Coeur LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 1U1, Moose Creek Ranger Station, ID - Destination: SFF, Spokane, WA - Airport: SFF, Felts Fld - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 699 total, 236 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KSFF, 5 nm away - METAR: METAR KSFF 240253Z 25011G26KT 10SM CLR 24/01 A2985 RMK AO2 PK WND 25026/0251 SLP093 T02390011 53003= ## 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 20240623009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240623009019A), Jun 23, 2024: Cessna 182A, Spokane Valley, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power on return flight form backcountry airport to home field. Pilot estimated fuel in tanks before departing at approximately 3/4 full of return… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194538. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 13 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20170027&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FLAT%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Om fuel and performance excerpts (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 790 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20349604&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=OM%20performance%20excerpt-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, airplane recovery (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20291021&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20Aircraft%20Recovery_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, email, pilot (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20414878&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20email%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20160512&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Wreckage%20WPR24LA206_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20291491&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20pic-Rel.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.