Cessna 182Q N94326

Summary

On 27 September 2000 at about 17:50 local time, a Cessna 182Q registered N94326 was involved in an accident near Owingsville, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 September 2000 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Owingsville, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

38.1167, -83.7500

Aircraft

Cessna 182Q

Registration

N94326

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Manassas → Owingsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD00LA085

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel. Also causal in the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to repair the inoperative fuel cap.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported to ATC that the airplane was low on fuel and the engine was sputtering. Witnesses said the airplane struck terrain and nosed over adjacent to an Interstate highway. During recovery of the airplane, an FAA inspector noted that water appeared to drain from the left fuel tank. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed the airplane's fuel system was not compromised, and about 9 gallons of fuel was drained from the airplane. Water was found throughout the fuel system. The carburetor contained approximately 3 ounces of water. Examination of the right fuel cap revealed the cap was unsecured and unserviceable. The cap was removed and rust was observed around the inside of the fuel port. The pilot/owner had previously declined a repair to the cap due to cost. Between the times the repair was declined, and the pilot departed on the accident flight, approximately 14 inches of rain fell on the airplane. Examination of the airplane's engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was performed 13 months prior to the accident. The pilot's most recent medical certificate was issued 4 years prior to the accident and his most recent biennial flight review was completed 3 years prior to the accident. According to the fixed base operator from where the airplane departed, "It was a terrible looking airplane. There was excessive fuel staining down the right side. The cap had no O-ring or gasket and we've had a lot of rain. He didn't want the work. The only work we did was to service his oxygen tank."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.