N154JD

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 180S/N: 30942

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 3, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA297
Location
Humble, TX
Event ID
20100604X00102
Coordinates
29.989999, -95.271667
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N154JD
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
30942
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1954
Model / ICAO
180C180
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
EASTLAND AVIATION INC
Address
415 W WALL ST STE 1415
Status
Deregistered
City
MIDLAND
State / Zip Code
TX 79701-4437
Country
United States

Analysis

The private pilot said he departed with approximately 55 gallons of fuel on board (about 3.5 hours total) and departed on a long cross country flight. Approximately three hours and 30 minutes into the flight, while on an ILS approach into his destination airport in VFR conditions, the pilot said the engine suddenly stopped but the propeller continued to windmill. He pumped the throttle, and finally pushed it full forward, but there was still no thrust. He checked the engine guages and they were normal, but he did not look at the fuel guages. A witness heard the engine sputtering as it flew overhead. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and attempted to reach a field, but ended up colliding with the roof of a private residence. The airplane came to rest in the residence's backyard. The pilot reported not seeing any fuel leaks or streaks when he got out of the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed there was no fuel in either wing tank, and there was no staining of the grass or foliage surrounding the airplane. When the airplane wing's were removed for salvage, less than one-pint of fuel was drained from the fuel lines.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA297