Probable cause
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot and two passengers were en route to their destination when the airplane's engine surged. According to the pilot, he applied carburetor heat and engine power was restored. The engine surged again followed by a total loss of engine power. He said that he was unable to restart the engine so he performed a forced landing to a highway. The airplane landed hard, the nose landing gear and left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop. Substantial crushing damage was sustained to the airplane's left wing and firewall. An examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed approximately one gallon of fuel present in the wings. In addition, only a small amount of fuel was found in the gascolator and carburetor.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA255 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 31, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Humnoke, Arkansas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182P
- N-number
- N52605
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.