No fatalities

Engine Failure Leads to Forced Landing and Nose-Over in Ditch (N5388B)

Shelbyville, IN, US

On November 16, 1999, a Cessna 182 (registration N5388B) was involved in an aviation accident near Shelbyville, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the inadequate preflight planning by the pilot and the exhaustion of usable fuel. A factor was the drainage ditch encountered on landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot performed a forced landing after losing engine power. The landing was normal until the aircraft struck a drainage ditch and nosed over. Postaccident inspection revealed no fuel in the tanks, though no mechanical malfunction was reported.

Accident Overview

A pilot conducted a forced landing following a loss of engine power. According to the pilot, there was no mechanical malfunction, and the landing proceeded normally until the aircraft encountered a drainage ditch, causing it to nose over.

Postaccident Findings

A postaccident examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no evidence of fuel within the fuel tanks. The fuel tanks were found to be intact. No preexisting anomalies were identified with respect to the airframe, engine, or systems.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported that the landing was normal aside from the unexpected encounter with the drainage ditch, which led to the nose-over. The pilot also stated that no mechanical issues were noted prior to the power loss.

Inspection Results

The FAA inspector's examination confirmed that the fuel tanks were empty and undamaged. All other components of the aircraft were free of preexisting defects.

All Cessna 182 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Nov 1999 Cessna 182 accident near Shelbyville, IN?

A pilot performed a forced landing after losing engine power. The landing was normal until the aircraft struck a drainage ditch and nosed over. Postaccident inspection revealed no fuel in the tanks, though no mechanical malfunction was reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Nov 1999 Cessna 182 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Nov 1999 involved a Cessna 182, registration N5388B, at Shelbyville, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the inadequate preflight planning by the pilot and the exhaustion of usable fuel. A factor was the drainage ditch encountered on landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X20081. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.