Cessna 182P accident near Tuttle, Oklahoma, March 2, 2001
On March 2, 2001 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Cessna 182P, registered N4721K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tuttle, Oklahoma (Univ. Of Oklahoma Westheimer airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
fuel exhaustion due to a loose fuel cap as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. A contributory factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 2, 2001 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Tuttle, Oklahoma · Univ. Of Oklahoma Westheimer · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N4721K · no longer on the register · serial 18263720
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that prior to takeoff, both fuel tanks were topped off. While enroute to the intended destination, the engine RPM began to decrease, and subsequently, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing, the nose landing gear contacted a drainage terrace, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane was turned upright, the right fuel tank was found empty, and left fuel tank contained residual fuel. The right fuel cap was found unlocked and hanging out of the fuel cell by its retaining chain. The pilot stated that some of the fuel may have been syphoned out of the fuel tank due to a loose fuel cap.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,300 hours in all; 1,100 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 1,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 29, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,350.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 27, 2000; 48.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-S (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 20V Kremmling CO at 5:45 pm
- Destination: OUN Norman OK
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.