On December 14, 1999, a Cessna 182R (registration N9616H) operated by Bobby Lynn Bixler was involved in an aviation accident near Farmington, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a cross-country flight, head winds reduced ground speed, leading the pilot to divert for fuel. About 35 miles from the intended stop, engine power was lost due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in a forced landing on rough terrain and a nose-over during the roll.
Incident Overview
The pilot was flying a cross-country route that was typically completed as a non-stop trip. During the flight, the airplane encountered persistent head winds, which reduced the ground speed to roughly 90 knots. After 6 hours and 50 minutes of flying, the pilot determined that there was insufficient fuel to continue to the planned destination and chose to land at an intermediate airport for refueling.
Forced Landing and Outcome
While still approximately 35 miles away from the intended fuel stop, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot attributed this to fuel exhaustion. A forced landing was carried out on rough, uneven terrain. During the landing roll, the aircraft nosed over.
What happened in the 14 Dec 1999 Cessna 182R accident near Farmington, NM?
During a cross-country flight, head winds reduced ground speed, leading the pilot to divert for fuel. About 35 miles from the intended stop, engine power was lost due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in a forced landing on rough terrain and a nose-over during the roll.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Dec 1999 involved a Cessna 182R, registration N9616H, operated by Bobby Lynn Bixler, at Farmington, NM.
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