N2131G – CESSNA 182A – 2009-07-31 NTSB Accident Report

On July 31, 2009, a Cessna 182A (N2131G) was involved in an incident near Watertown, SD. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of a fuel tank leak. Contributing to the accident was the reported malfunction of the fuel gauge.

The pilot reported that he had his fuel tanks filled and that he checked them during his preflight prior to departure on a cross country flight. He experienced a loss of engine power about 3.25 hours into the flight and performed a forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted a "hidden gully." The pilot reported, "At the time of the engine failure, the right tank was registering slightly over 1/2 full." According to the pilot the left wing had a stain from gasoline "that had not been there prior to takeoff."

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA519. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2131G.