N5931B

On March 29, 2008, at 1700 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182A, N5931B, lost engine power during landing and the pilot force-landed the airplane about 1 mile north of Buckeye Municipal Airport, Buckeye, Arizona. Desert Skydiving Center was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he was making a straight in approach to runway 17 and it was very windy. When he was approximately 2 miles from the end of the runway, the engine lost power. He applied full power but the engine did not respond. Due to the wind conditions, he was unable to glide to the runway and landed in a field. During the landing in the soft desert terrain, the nose gear broke off and the wings impacted the ground.

The responding deputy verified 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, and 15 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. The pilot indicated that prior to the loss of power, the fuel selector was positioned on the right fuel tank.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane following its recovery from the field. The airplane was recovered with its wings and fuel system intact. The spark plugs were removed prior to the engine test run and they were light gray in color. The engine was powered using the airplane's fuel system. The venting system was examined and was free from obstructions. Optimal power was obtained and no anomalies were noted with the operation of the engine.