On July 27, 1994, a Cessna 180H (registration N180BK) operated by Furrh, Larry W. was involved in an aviation accident near Elko, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to visually inspect the fuel level before departing on the accident flight, leading to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot failed to visually check fuel levels before departure. During approach, fuel gauges indicated erratic readings and the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft collided with a tree and landed on a highway 300 feet short of the runway.
Accident Details
The accident occurred during a flight where the pilot did not visually inspect the fuel level before departure. During the flight, the left fuel gauge fluctuated between full and empty, while the right fuel gauge indicated approximately one-quarter full. While on final approach, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane collided with a tree and came to rest on a highway located 300 feet short of the runway.
Post-accident Findings
A post-crash examination of the intact fuel system revealed little or no fuel remaining. The investigation determined that the pilot's failure to visually inspect the fuel level before departure led to the fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to visually inspect the fuel level before departing on the accident flight, leading to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.
What happened in the 27 Jul 1994 Cessna 180H accident near Elko, NV?
A pilot failed to visually check fuel levels before departure. During approach, fuel gauges indicated erratic readings and the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft collided with a tree and landed on a highway 300 feet short of the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Jul 1994 involved a Cessna 180H, registration N180BK, operated by Furrh, Larry W., at Elko, NV.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot failed to visually inspect the fuel level before departing on the accident flight, leading to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.
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…