On December 12, 1986, a Cessna 182P (registration N182LM) was involved in an aviation accident near St. Cloud, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to check the fuel supply prior to takeoff, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot initiated an IFR flight without checking fuel levels. The engine failed at 5,000 feet, leading to a forced landing where the aircraft struck a fence and a tree.
What happened
The private pilot reported that prior to takeoff, she did not check the fuel supply before initiating an IFR flight. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the engine failed at 5,000 feet MSL. During the subsequent forced landing attempt, the aircraft struck a fence and a tree.
The investigation
Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that the right tank was empty and the left tank had about 1/2 gallon of fuel.
Findings
The pilot's failure to check the fuel supply prior to takeoff resulted in fuel exhaustion. This led to engine failure and a subsequent forced landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to check the fuel supply prior to takeoff, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
What happened in the 12 Dec 1986 Cessna 182P accident near St. Cloud, FL?
A private pilot initiated an IFR flight without checking fuel levels. The engine failed at 5,000 feet, leading to a forced landing where the aircraft struck a fence and a tree.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 12 Dec 1986 involved a Cessna 182P, registration N182LM, at St. Cloud, FL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to check the fuel supply prior to takeoff, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…