Cessna 182C N8643T accident near Sparta, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning which resulted in the failure to assure an adequate fuel supply for the flight and the improper flare during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the ditch that the airplane contacted.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he originally departed Warsaw, Indiana, at about 0730 on the morning of the accident. He stated that the airplane contained approximately 45 gallons of usable fuel. He stated that during the flight the "service oil filter screen" light illuminated, so he diverted. He stated that he removed and cleaned the oil filter screen and changed the oil prior to departing for the Sparta Community Airport (SAR). The pilot stated that he began his descent, and when he reached traffic pattern altitude he attempted to add power to no avail. He stated the fuel gauges were indicating that he still had fuel and the propeller was wind milling prior to it stopping. The pilot initiated an off airport landing in a retail parking lot. The nose gear separated from the airplane resulting in firewall damage, and the left main gear collapsed when the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane then slid into a ditch where it came to rest. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that it came to rest with the right wing higher than the left wing. The right wing did not contain any fuel and the left wing contained less than four gallons of fuel. The gascolator was separated from the airplane due to the impact, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident site.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA255 for the full record.