Accident Details
On August 18, 2010, at about 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 182T, registration N1142U, received substantial damage when it struck terrain during a forced landing on a field near Mosby, Missouri. The flight, operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, was on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The flight originated from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Kansas City, Missouri, about 0940 and was en route to Dubuque Regional Airport, Dubuque, Iowa.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that after the annual inspection, he flew the airplane once on a short trip without incident. The second flight since the inspection occurred the day before the accident. During that flight, from Dubuque to Kansas City, the engine sputtered for about five seconds at 8,000 feet mean sea level, then regained power. The pilot diverted to Monticello Regional Airport, Iowa, where he landed without further incident. After landing, he performed run-ups and magneto checks, which were fine. Mechanics at the airport inspected the airplane, checking fuel sumps and visually examining the engine, finding no anomalies. The pilot then performed two takeoffs and landings with no issues.
On the day of the accident, the pilot preflighted the airplane, checking all fuel sumps with no water contamination found. He filed for 9,000 feet mean sea level for the return flight from Kansas City but was initially cleared to 4,000 feet. Everything was normal during takeoff and climb. About 15 minutes after departure, while climbing through 5,200 feet mean sea level, the engine sputtered and went to idle. It regained power briefly but then lost power completely, with engine speed about 600 rpm. The pilot attempted various throttle and mixture adjustments and turned on the electric fuel pump, but the engine did not regain power. He established an airspeed of 70 knots and notified Kansas City Departure. He decided to attempt a landing at Midwest National Air Center Airport (GPH), about 5 nautical miles away. While en route, the engine continued operating at 600-650 rpm. About 2 nautical miles from GPH, the pilot realized he could not reach the airport and performed a forced landing on a grassy, rough, down-sloping pasture with trees. During the landing, the airplane struck a ditch, collapsing the front landing gear.
Examination
An examination by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the air intake/filter and exhaust system were unobstructed. The fuel vent system, fuel sumps, and fuel strainers were clear. Fuel was present throughout the system. Rotating the propeller by hand confirmed compression on all cylinders, valve train continuity, and continuity to the accessory section. Control continuity for throttle, propeller, and mixture was confirmed. Both magnetos produced sparks when rotated by hand.
The fuel servo (RSA-5AD1, part number 256544-3, serial number 70842810), flow divider (part number 2576564-1, serial number 023346), and engine-driven fuel pump (part number LW-15473, date code 0405) were removed for further testing. Flow bench testing of the fuel servo found it within serviceable limits with no internal leakage. The fuel inlet screen was unobstructed. Fuel and air diaphragms were intact and pliable. The fuel diaphragm had a blue colored tacky residue over an estimated 40-degree sector, consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel residue. The flow divider was tested with no obstructed flow; the internal diaphragm did not stick and was pliable. The flow divider outlet fitting threads were wrapped with white tape consistent with Teflon tape. One of four fuel servo impact tubes contained a similar blue residue. The fuel pump was actuated by hand and showed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.