You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Tuesday 20 April 1999 |
| Time: | 18:34 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna R182 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N7317X |
| MSN: | R18200073 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1607 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-J3C5D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | San Luis Obispo, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | , CA (KSBP) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that he was about 6 miles northwest of the airport, returning to the airport for landing, the engine abruptly and completely ceased delivering power. The aircraft descended through a stratus cloud layer and broke out beneath a 900-foot ceiling. The pilot determined that the aircraft would not glide to the airport and made an emergency landing in an open field beside a highway. The right wing struck a sign during the landing. FAA inspectors reported that the engine fuel sump contained a clear fluid resembling water, and that the right-hand fuel tank sump drain had a threaded plug installed which precluded routine sampling of the tank for water.
Probable Cause: The inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft by the pilot-in-command which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. A factor in the accident was an improper maintenance alteration which disabled a fuel sump drain.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX99LA159
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 16 December 2001 | N7317X | James Wyatt | 0 | Santa Maria, California | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Nov-2017 12:43 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 08-Apr-2024 06:51 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation