Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Fairfield, MT
Accident Number: GAA17CA529
Date & Time: 09/06/2017, 1845 MDT
Registration: N735KQ
Aircraft: CESSNA 182
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, he realized the airplane was "very low on fuel." He added that, with air traffic control's assistance, he diverted to an airport along his route, which was about 30 nautical miles from the intended destination. He further added that he had difficulty locating the airport visually, and when he did locate the runway, the airplane was "too high" to land. Subsequently, as the pilot continued descending and maneuvering toward the runway, the engine lost power, and he landed in a field. He added that, the airplane "hit the field hard," bounced, and struck a utility pole before stopping.
The pilot further reported in the NTSB Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report that he was informed that no fuel was found in the airplane and that the right fuel cap was not installed. He reported that he added fuel to both fuel tanks at the departure airport and that there was a "possibility/ likelihood" that he did not secure the right fuel cap during preflight. He added that, during the diversion, he did not complete the "forced landing checklist."
The airplane was destroyed.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to secure the right fuel cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport hard landing.
Findings
Aircraft
Fuel storage - Inadequate inspection (Cause)
Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)
Personnel issues
Preflight inspection - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Pole - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
History of Flight
Prior to flight
Aircraft inspection event
Enroute
Fuel exhaustion (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown
Hard landing
Landing-landing roll
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/12/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/08/2015
Flight Time: (Estimated) 576.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 44.2 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N735KQ
Model/Series: 182 Q
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18265488
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2950 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2473.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-U
Registered Owner: BATTLE ROCK ENGINEERING LLC.
Rated Power: 230 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGTF, 3680 ft msl
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 26 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 160°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / -1°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 7 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ARLINGTON, WA (AWO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: KALISPELL, MT (GPI)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1445 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: FAIRFIELD (5U5)
Runway Surface Type: Dirt
Airport Elevation:3991 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3800 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 47.640000, -111.966389 (est)
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, MontanaAviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Battle Rock Engineering LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N735KQ
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, September 06, 2017 in Fairfield, MT
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N735KQ
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that, during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, he realized the airplane was "very low on fuel." He added that, with air traffic control's assistance, he diverted to an airport along his route, which was about 30 nautical miles from the intended destination. He further added that he had difficulty locating the airport visually, and when he did locate the runway, the airplane was "too high" to land. Subsequently, as the pilot continued descending and maneuvering toward the runway, the engine lost power, and he landed in a field. He added that, the airplane "hit the field hard," bounced, and struck a utility pole prior to stopping.
The pilot further reported in the NTSB Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report, that he was informed that no fuel was found in the airplane and that the right fuel cap was not installed. He reported that he added fuel to both fuel tanks at the departure airport and there was a "possibility/ likelihood" that he did not secure the right fuel cap during preflight. He added that during the diversion, he did not complete the "forced landing checklist."
The airplane was destroyed.
The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A small private plane crashed a mile or so shy of the Fairfield Airport landing on a rural road in Teton County Wednesday night. The pilot of the plane survived the crash and was taken by the Fairfield ambulance to a Great Falls hospital.The Fairfield ambulance, Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, Teton County sheriff's deputies and the Montana Highway Patrol responded to the accident scene.Martin Teague, 60, of Bothell, Washington, the pilot of a small private plane sustained non-life threatening facial lacerations and chest injuries in a crash Sept. 6 on a rural Fairfield road off First Lane Northeast and Second Road Northeast.
The pilot, who was planning to land at the Great Falls International Airport according to his flight plan, radioed that he was low on fuel and was attempting to land at the rural Fairfield airport, about 35 miles north of Great Falls. Teton County Sheriff Keith VanSetten said Teague was able to land the plane in a field and traveled about 120 feet when the wing of the single-engine Cessna 182 hit a power pole, tearing off a large portion of the wing and flipping the plane onto the roadway. He was about .75 of a mile away from the Fairfield airport.
The crash was reported at 8 p.m. with the Montana Highway Patrol, Fairfield Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Teton County sheriff’s deputies and the Fairfield ambulance responding. The Fairfield ambulance transported the pilot to Benefis in Great Falls. He was communicating with the crew at the site of the crash, according to fire officials.
Heavy smoke from Montana fires hanging over Fairfield at the time of the accident reduced visibility.
An official from the Federal Aviation Administration in Helena was on the site of the crash Thursday morning. An FAA official in Helena said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash and his agency along with the other agencies that responded to the crash will work together on the investigation. It could take up to a year before the official report on the crash is released, the Helena FFA official said.
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