Cessna 182G accident near Tuckerman, Arkansas, May 2, 2002
On May 2, 2002 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Cessna 182G, registered N3146S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tuckerman, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's operation of the airplane with a known equipment deficiency, which resulted in fuel leakage and a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factors 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
- May 2, 2002 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Tuckerman, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182G · all 182Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3146S · registry record · serial 18255646
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in cruise flight, approximately two hours and ten minutes after departure, the engine lost power, and the pilot was unable to restart the engine. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down in a rice field. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear impacted a levee, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Earlier in the day during a fuel stop, an individual loaned the pilot a pair of needle nose pliers after the pilot stated that the locking tabs were broken from the cap on the left main fuel tank. The individual suggested to the pilot that he purchase a new fuel cap; however, the pilot did not purchase one. At the departure airport, ground personnel reported to the pilot that the left main tank had a "bad fuel leak." After fueling the airplane, the pilot duct taped the left main fuel tank filler cap. An examination of the fuel system by an FAA inspector revealed that the left fuel filler cap was loose and its clip was broken. No fuel was found in either tank, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill; however, there was blue streaking from the left fuel tank filler port.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,050 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 927 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 13, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,495.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 27, 2002; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Silverwing Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: FLV Leavenworth KS at 7:30 pm
- Destination: M19 Newport CT
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from JBR, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.