The pilot reported that, during an IFR cross-country flight, he realized the Cessna 182 was “very low on fuel.”
With air traffic control’s assistance, he diverted to an airport along his route, which was about 30 nautical miles from the intended destination. He had difficulty locating the airport visually, and when he did locate the runway, the airplane was “too high” to land.
As he continued descending and maneuvering toward the runway, the engine lost power, and he landed in a field near Fairfield, Montana.
He said that the airplane “hit the field hard,” bounced, and struck a utility pole before stopping.
The pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report that he was informed that no fuel was found in the airplane and that the right fuel cap was not installed. He noted that he added fuel to both fuel tanks at the departure airport and that there was a “possibility/likelihood” that he did not secure the right fuel cap during preflight. He added that, during the diversion, he did not complete the “forced landing checklist.”
The airplane was destroyed and the pilot suffered minor injuries.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to secure the right fuel cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport hard landing.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA529
This September 2017 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.
And our insurance rates go up even more. Thanks.
Immediately before entering the cabin for departure, make a 360 around the airplane to check for anything not completed or secure. For Cessna’s, you get a good view of the fuel caps from the tail area. Don’t get into the airplane without that walk-around being done carefully.
He “ realized he was low on fuel quote. There was a bolt of inspiration from someplace that made him look at the fuel gauge. Forgot to put the gas cap on. Good grief. Perhaps there needs to be an IQ test before you can get your pilots license.
Pilots should be scanning all the gauges, even in vfr conditions. The engine oil pressure and oil temperature gauges are next to the fuel gauges on most Cessnas. So, the pilot scan should be checking these.
A couple of scans at 10-15 minute intervals would have the pilot note the fuel gauges dropping faster than normal.
As I mentioned previously, this pilot only had 49 hrs in this aircraft, so he may note have developed the instrument scan or how the fuel gauges read vs fuel levels.
As expected, leaving a cap off a Cessna tank will siphon the fuel from both tanks, assuming that the fuel selector is on ‘both’. This aircraft burned and lost 64 gallons in 2.75 hours, about 23 gph, and about 9 gph more than expected.
So, be very sure the caps are secure and monitor the fuel gauges. They may not be accurate but they will show a trend, especially as the needles are near ’empty’.
This pilot did only have 49 hrs in the aircraft, so he may not have had a good idea of the fuel burn or how the gauges indicated the fuel levels.
BTW, any of the ‘fuel totalizers’ would not have helped. They only show fuel delivered to the engine. Fuel lost before the sensor is not counted.