What happened
On February 16, 2026, at 10:20 EST, a Cessna 182G, registration N515CL, was involved in an accident near Quail Heights, Florida. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
During the preflight inspection, the pilot added a small amount of fuel to both wing tanks to ensure they were full. The pilot then checked the wing tank drains and the fuel strainer, noting no contamination at that time. Following a normal taxi and engine runup, the aircraft departed the airport. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost all power.
The pilot attempted to return to the airport, performing a downwind landing in the direction opposite of the initial departure. Upon touchdown, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft, causing it to overrun the runway and impact trees. The accident resulted in no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers, but the left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
Post-accident examinations conducted by the NTSB and FAA revealed no visible damage to the engine, and engine control continuity was confirmed. While fuel was present in both wing tanks, the carburetor bowl, and the fuel strainer, the fuel strainer contained a small amount of particulate contamination. Additionally, when the upper spark plugs were removed, several showed evidence of sooting on the electrodes.