Cessna 182 N92780

Summary

On 20 August 2008 at about 23:00 local time, a Cessna 182 registered N92780 was involved in an accident near Caldwell, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 August 2008 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Caldwell, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.5083, -96.7017

Aircraft

Cessna 182

Registration

N92780

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Waco

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA210

2 people were seriously injured.

A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to secure the right wing's fuel cap, leading to fuel being siphoned from the tank during flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight, the single-engine airplane lost engine power. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to a nearby airport. During the approach, the airplane impacted a light pole and crashed into a ball field near the airport. The on-site investigation found that the right wing fuel cap was located on the ground near the airplane's wing; the left wing's fuel cap was in place. Additionally, blue fuel streaks were found on the fuselage's right side behind the rear fuselage window and below the right horizontal stabilator. An inspection of the engine failed to identify any abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation. Prior to its departure from a previous airport, the airplane was filled with approximately 24 gallons of fuel. An airport security camera recorded the airplane being refueled. The security video showed that the pilot, after refueling, did not put the right wing's fuel cap back on. The fuel "streaking" is consistent with (blue) 100LL aviation fuel being siphoned from the fuel tank during flight, leading to the loss of fuel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.