N6336A

On September 25, 1996, at 1136 eastern daylight time (EDT), N6336A, a Cessna 182, lost engine power during cruise flight and made a forced landing in a corn field near Kansas, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot and the one passenger were not injured. The personal flight originated from Baltimore, Maryland, at 0710 EDT. The intended destination was Toledo, Ohio.

According to the pilot, he had topped off the fuel tanks for a trip to Ohio. He stated that he completed a preflight inspection which included draining the fuel tanks and checking for contamination. None was noted. He stated that he was airborne for approximately 3 hours 12 minutes when the engine lost power. His attempts to restart the engine including using the emergency procedures were unsuccessful. He stated that he was 10 miles southwest from the nearest airport, but due to his altitude, 4000 feet msl, he was unable to make a successful landing there. A forced landing was made in a corn field the only suitable place for a landing.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that he topped off the fuel tanks with 28.6 gallons of fuel in Baltimore. He stated that the fuel burn was approximately 11.5 gallons per hour and that he should have had at least one hour of fuel remaining as his total useable fuel was 55 gallons. The airplane was examined after the accident by a mechanic under the supervision of the FAA. The mechanic reported that the examination included checking the fuel tanks and gascolator. The examination revealed that the right fuel tank was empty, the left tank contained one inch of fuel, and the gascolator was empty. The fuel selector was found selected to the right fuel tank.

According to the Cessna Owner's Manual, at an altitude of 2500 feet and a power setting of 21 inches and 2450 rpm, the endurance would be 4.3 hours, and fuel burn of 12.7 gallons per hour, at 5000 feet and a power setting of 21 inches and 2450 rpm the endurance would be 4.2 hours and fuel burn of 13.0 gallons per hour. According to the FAA, the pilot reported that the power setting he used was 21 inches and 2200 rpm. A copy of the cruise and range performance is appended. According to the pilot operator report submitted by the pilot, the airplane departed at 0710 EDT, and the accident occurred at 1136 EDT.