N2311C

Substantial
Minor

Cessna 180S/N: 30611

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, August 11, 2007
NTSB Number
CHI07CA263
Location
Princeton, MN
Event ID
20071107X01752
Coordinates
45.559722, -93.608055
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. A factor was the fuel siphoning from the right fuel tank.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
30611
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1953
Model / ICAO
180C180
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
180

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
B & B AVIATION LLC
Address
2520 BANTAS POINT RD
City
WAYZATA
State / Zip Code
MN 55391-2310
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he had stopped at an en route airport to refuel prior to continuing to his final destination airport. He had the lineman at the fixed base operator add 7 gallons of fuel to each wing tank for a total of 14 gallons. The pilot reported that the lineman placed the fueling ladder on his truck and the pilot went in to pay the bill. The pilot did not check the tanks or the fuel caps after the lineman had added the fuel.

The pilot reported that he departed and approximately 1:05 hours of flight later, the airplane's engine stopped running. He reported the fuel indicators showed empty on the left tank, but 1/2 or better on the right tank. The fuel selector was in the BOTH position. He executed a forced landing to a soybean field, but the field was too short and the airplane became airborne again before landing hard in a field.

The inspection of the airplane revealed that the right fuel door was open and the filler cap was off and dangling by the chain attached to the filler neck. A fuel stain was observed that went from the filler neck to the trailing edge of the right flap. The left and right fuel tanks were empty.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA263