N8493S

On November 22, 1995, about 1915 central standard time, a Cessna 182H, N8493S, registered to, and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 cross country flight, collided with a dike during a forced landing near Eagle Lake, Texas. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Neosho, Missouri, about 4 hours 15 minutes before the accident and was en route to Victoria, Texas.

The pilot reported the following information in the Pilot/Operator Report. Approximately 1830 the engine started "missing and stopped running at altitude 8,500 feet." The left fuel gauge was showing 1/4 tank and the right fuel gauge was showing less than 1/4 tank. The GPS showed the nearest airport was at Columbus, Texas. The pilot contacted FSS and was informed that the Columbus Airport was inactive. The pilot saw the Eagle Lake Airport rotating beacon and headed towards it. At 1,000 feet "the engine started but ran rough." At 300 feet the "engine quit again." The pilot executed a landing to a field and during the landing roll the airplane struck a terrace area. The nose landing gear separated from the fuselage and a post impact fire ensued.

According to the FAA inspector the airplane was destroyed by the post crash fire. The pilot reported he had departed Neosho, Missouri, with 80 gallons of fuel, and he did not made any fuel stops. The last radar contact with the airplane was at 1913.

According to the Cessna 182 Owner's Manual, an airplane equipped with long range fuel tanks will have 79 gallons of usable fuel. At 10,000 MSL, on a standard day, with a gross weight of 2,800 pounds, engine at 2,400 RPM with a manifold pressure of 19, the airplane would have a flight endurance of 6.6 hours with no fuel reserve.