Incident Overview
The pilot of a Cessna 185 Skywagon had the airplane fueled and then departed on a cross-country flight. During the descent to the destination airport, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot performed an off-airport landing, during which the airplane collided with high vegetation, resulting in substantial damage.
Preflight Actions
The pilot reported that he did not check the fuel tank caps before the flight. The Cessna 185 Skywagon owner's manual includes a preflight inspection checklist. Relevant items from that checklist include:
- Step 4 f: Visually check fuel quantity; then check [the right fuel tank’s] fuel filler cap secure and vent unobstructed.
- Step 6 a: Visually check fuel quantity; then check [the left fuel tank’s] fuel filler cap secure and vent unobstructed.
On-Scene Findings
Upon examination, the fuel tanks were found to contain no fuel. Additionally, the fuel caps were not in place at the accident scene.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of adhering to preflight inspection procedures, specifically the verification of fuel cap security and fuel quantity. The lack of fuel in the tanks and missing caps indicate that fuel was likely lost in flight, leading to the power loss.