Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 21; Flight Crew Total 372; Flight Crew Type 25
Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification; Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Diverted
Human Factors; Aircraft
I was conducting normally scheduled skydiving operations in a CE-182 'D' model with numerous modifications including a higher power engine; skydiving door and wingtip extensions. My initial preflight showed 20 gallons of fuel on board. The incident occurred on the second jump run of the day as I returned to the airport. I returned to the pattern too high and was unable to safely descend to the runway. I initiated a go-around approximately halfway down the runway at 500 feet to 600 feet AGL. As I added power and pitched up the engine sputtered and quit. The propeller continued to windmill. I proceeded to the plowed wheat field south of the runway and conducted a power off soft field landing. Shortly after touchdown the engine restarted. I brought the aircraft to a stop and secured the engine. Post landing inspection of the aircraft and touchdown path revealed no damage. The aircraft was fueled and an engine run conducted prior to continued operations.The cause of the incident was poor preflight fuel planning. I underestimated the fuel burn for each set of skydivers and did not account for the amount of unusable fuel in the tanks. Secondary to this was the poor entry to the traffic pattern that ultimately required a go-around to be initiated. Future skydiving operations will start with no less than 40 gallons of fuel on board the aircraft and refueling will be conducted following every 3rd jump run. The loss of power at low altitude caused a strong initial adrenaline reaction that caused me to not secure the engine prior to touchdown; or conduct substantial emergency procedures beyond a brief 'mayday' call over the CTAF. Fortunately the restart of the engine due to my inaction helped prevent damage during the landing sequence. My lack of overall familiarity with the emergency procedures for the aircraft prevented me from overcoming the adrenaline rush associated with the low altitude event. Additionally I exhibited hazardous attitudes in the form of 'Macho' and 'Invulnerable' when I did not add fuel prior to the start of operations.
C182 pilot experiences engine failure during a go-around; after a long steep descent from a jump run. The pilot landed in emergency condition on a field and the engine restarted just after touch down. Fuel starvation was thought to be the cause for the engine quitting and restarting shortly after.