CESSNA 182A

Full Narrative

On July 21, 2012, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N2166G, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and collision with terrain near Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM), Farmingdale, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot had minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a corporation and was operated by Skydive Jersey Shore under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a skydiving flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at BLM about 1530.

The pilot reported that he was returning to the airport after dropping parachutists at 9,000 feet. While approaching the airport, about 30 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power and stopped running. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field and the airplane collided with some poles lying on the ground and the nose gear collapsed.

Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspectors confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage. There was no evidence of external engine damage. The oil quantity was checked and found to be in the normal range. Little or no fuel was found in the left wing tank. The right wing tank quantity could not be determined due to the position of the right wing. The wreckage was recovered to a local maintenance facility where a subsequent examination of the airframe and engine was performed.

A yardstick was inserted into the right wing tank and the fuel level registered less than 0.75 inches. The total fuel recovered from the left wing tank was less than one quart. A fuel sample was taken from the gascolator and it was found to be blue in color and free of contaminants. The main fuel line from the wing tanks was loosened and the line was empty of fuel. The engine rotated freely when turned by hand.

The pilot reported that, after leveling off from the descent, that he should have made a more conscious effort to scan his instruments and gauges, with "special emphasis on fuel gauges." He also reported that he preflighted the fuel tanks with a wooden dipstick.