Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
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.
Source record
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.