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Casualties unknown

Engine Failure Due to Fuel Exhaustion on Final Approach (N2389G)

Albuquerque, NM, US

On September 25, 1982, a Cessna 182B (registration N2389G) operated by John K. Wilson was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent engine failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-23Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced an engine failure during final approach after flying beyond the aircraft's optimal endurance time, resulting in a runway undershoot due to fuel exhaustion.

What happened

The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight when the engine quit while on final approach. The pilot had been airborne for approximately 4.7 hours at the time of the failure. During the landing attempt, the aircraft undershot the runway.

The investigation

Examination of the flight data and fuel calculations revealed that the aircraft's optimal endurance is 4.6 hours. Although the pilot had planned for a 7-gallon reserve, approximately 10 gallons of the carried fuel was unusable. This discrepancy between usable fuel capacity and actual consumption led to the depletion of available fuel.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The flight duration exceeded the aircraft's optimal endurance limit, and the presence of significant unusable fuel reduced the effective range below the required distance for the flight.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent engine failure.
Engine failureFuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Sept 1982 Cessna 182B accident near Albuquerque, NM?

A pilot experienced an engine failure during final approach after flying beyond the aircraft's optimal endurance time, resulting in a runway undershoot due to fuel exhaustion.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Sept 1982 involved a Cessna 182B, registration N2389G, operated by John K. Wilson, at Albuquerque, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent engine failure.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X04617. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.