Cessna 180H accident near Elko, Nevada, July 27, 1994
On July 27, 1994 at about 9:42 pm local time, a Cessna 180H, registered N180BK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elko, Nevada (Elko airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power from fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper preflight and fuel consumption calculations while operating with known equipment malfunctions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 1994 · about 9:42 pm local time
- Place
- Elko, Nevada · Elko
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180H · all 180Hs on the register
- Registration
- N180BK · registry record · serial 18052120
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT FAILED TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY WITH THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATING 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CAME TO REST ON A HIGHWAY 300 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH EXAMINATION FOUND LITTLE OR NO FUEL REMAINING IN THE INTACT FUEL SYSTEM.
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: 626 hours in all; 359 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 575 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,615 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 19, 1994; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NU7 Currant NV at 8:45 pm
- Destination: EKO NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 7,211 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N180BK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.