NTSB Factual Report

On October 7, 2003, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N3904D, nosed over during an off airport forced landing 7 miles southwest of Jean, Nevada. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The airplane was being repositioned to Jean by the pilot for the owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal cross-country flight departed Lake Elsinore, California, at 1155. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he started a decent out of 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when the airplane experienced some moderate turbulence. This was followed by an uncommanded reduction of engine power towards idle. The pilot applied carburetor heat and adjusted the fuel mixture. Despite the pilot's manipulation of engine controls, power was not restored. The pilot selected what appeared to him to be a dirt road on which to force land the airplane. While landing the airplane, deep ruts in the road affected the landing and the airplane came to rest inverted.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found that the total fuel onboard after the accident was 3 gallons. Normal unusable fuel for each tank is 1.5 gallons. However, if the aircraft is not in a level flight attitude, an additional 3.5 gallons of fuel per tank may be unusable due to the aft placement of the fuel line ports in the fuel cells.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.