The accident flight was intended as a test flight after the Cessna 182’s annual inspection.
During the preflight inspection, the pilot visually checked the fuel and noted that there was less than he expected.
While operating in the traffic pattern at the airport in Orlando, Florida, he experienced static on the radio and departed the airport area to troubleshoot.
When he concluded these efforts and turned the airplane back toward the airport, the engine stopped producing power.
Unable to restore engine power, he performed a forced landing to a street. The pilot avoided vehicle traffic and power lines, however the airplane hit trees and a masonry fence, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.
Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed no fuel in the airplane’s fuel tanks.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This August 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
“Some people are not cut out for low recourse activities”.
Very well said.
I do not understand having owned and flown on 182 for over 32 years if there was any I mean any doubt about the fuel I always added fuel and I would never pass an airport with fuel if there was any doubt about reaching my destination
There seems to be some holes or inconsistencies with the accident reports here.
The GA News states that the pilot visually checked the fuel level prior to this flight.
The NTSB Record of Conversation with the FAA inspector states that the pilot admitted he did not check the fuel level.
Then:
The NTSB Report states that the pilot did visually check the fuel level….it was very low. Pilot estimated tanks to have 45 minutes of fuel present.
This report also states takeoff time from ORL was at 3:55 PM, and that the accident occurred at 4:00 PM. It does not account for ground run time prior to takeoff.
Due to wing dihedral of a 182, and due to the fuel filler location at the outboard end of each tank, “very low fuel” levels can’t ordinarily be seen. A Continental O-470 carbureted engine normally consumes 10 to 12 gallons per hour. There must have been next to no fuel in these tanks if flight time lasted only 5 minutes!
This is an accident that did not have to occur! Get Thereitis claims another perfectly good aircraft!
And we all get to pay higher insurance premiums. Thank you very much.
Look here: Dale “Snort” Snodgrass crash. McSpadden crash. It CAN happen to YOU. What is “it?” A pilot-error crash. It’s way easy to criticize and say “that couldn’t POSSIBLY happen to me!” Is that right? Don’t you suppose those two dudes thought they were “good?”
About the same analogy as the worn out “no old bold pilots” and everyone will gear up.
Neither by a long shot. Those that will…will because they at that point they surpassed their true level of comprehension.
The “Gimli Glider.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
Here’s another “ran-out-of-fuel” story. Pilot error.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236
Bottom line is despite all the gizmos, gadgets, seminars, programs, checklists some people are not cut out for low recourse activities. The base mindset analysis for running out of fuel in an aircraft is somewhat different than for an automobile.
Nail hit squarely on its head. There’s no appliance substitute for pilot common sense.
/J
In a hurry, doesn’t ‘stick’ the tanks to see how much fuel is actually there. [ any stick would do ]
Wanted to go elsewhere for ‘cheaper’ fuel.
Got distracted with a radio problem, and ran out of fuel.
Now a huge repair bill vs $50 in fuel not added.
More stupid pilot tricks.!!
Not to mention higher insurance rates for the rest of us.