Accident Cessna 180 N9425C, Sunday 25 September 1994

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Date:	Sunday 25 September 1994
Time:	17:20 LT
Type:	Cessna 180
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N9425C
MSN:	180-31823
Total airframe hrs:	2565 hours
Engine model:	Continental O-470-J
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Denton, TX - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Utopia, TX (95TA)
Destination airport:	(5TXO)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
DURING APPROACH TO HIS HOME AIRPORT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER LOSS AS HE APPLIED 20 DEG OF FLAPS. HE DETERMINED THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE THE RUNWAY AND ELECTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING TO A DIRT ROAD. ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT SPOTTED POWER LINES AND ENTERED A SHALLOW CLIMB TO CLEAR THEM; HOWEVER, THE RESULTANT LOSS OF AIRSPEED INDUCED A STALL AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED A TANK UNPORTED WHEN HE LOWERED THE FLAPS. 5 GALS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM EACH WING TANK DURING RECOVERY. THE FLIGHT MANUAL INDICATED 2.5 GALS PER SIDE IS UNUSABLE.

Probable Cause: THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUEL. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED WERE: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING, AND THE PILOT'S EVASIVE MANEUVER.

Accident investigation: