Accident Details
On April 19, 2023, about 1400 mountain standard time, a Cessna R182 airplane, registration N4166C, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal cross-country trip under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Report
The pilot initially reported that the airplane's fuel gauges were not reading correctly during the flight, leading him to decide to land at Valle Airport (40G) for fuel. While on final approach for runway 1, he applied carburetor heat and the engine sputtered. He aborted the landing and attempted a go-around due to wind conditions. The airplane stalled and struck the ground during the go-around.
In a follow-up interview, the pilot stated that the airplane was recently purchased and he was flying it to the St. Louis, Missouri, area. He noted no refueling services were available at his departure airport. Before departing, the left fuel tank was about 3/4 full and the right tank 7/8 full. His plan was to refuel at an unknown airport in western Kansas. About one hour into the flight, he observed that fuel was only being drawn from the left tank, prompting a precautionary landing at 40G. During the approach, the engine "acted up," and he applied full power for a go-around. The engine produced no power, and shortly after, the airplane "stalled out" at an unknown altitude. Both wings and the empennage impacted the ground.
Postaccident Observations
The airport manager, who was onsite shortly after the accident, reported that the right wing was on the ground and both wing tanks were leaking fuel. The wing fuel tank caps were removed for visual inspection; the right tank was full to the brim, and the left tank was about half full. The fuel selector was found in the BOTH position.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
The airplane had a total time of 4,784.4 hours. Review of logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was completed on August 1, 2022, about 16.6 hours before the accident. In June 2003, the engine was removed for a sudden stoppage inspection, repaired, inspected, and reinstalled in November 2003. Since reinstallation, the engine had accumulated 419.3 hours.
Postaccident examination found no evidence of anomalies with the fuel system. The wing fuel tanks were intact, and associated lines and screens were unobstructed. Fuel cap seals and vent valves were undamaged, and fuel tank vent lines were unobstructed when air pressure was applied. The fuel selector valve operated normally in all detent positions. A small amount of uncontaminated fuel was found in the fuel strainer, and the strainer bowl and screen were free of contaminants.
Examination of the engine and its components revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The induction system had no signs of leaks or obstructions. Exhaust flame cones were intact, and the exhaust system was unobstructed. The carburetor was removed and sent to the manufacturer for evaluation; its fuel flow performance was within acceptable limits at various power settings.
The airplane was operating in conditions not conducive to carburetor icing at any power.