NTSB Identification: ERA12LA440
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Panama City, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/13/2013
Aircraft: CESSNA 170, registration: N2561V
Injuries: 1 Serious.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The airplane was parked outdoors for an extended period of time. The pilot/owner spent 2 days alternately draining water-contaminated fuel and test running the airplane’s engine several times. The pilot stated that he drained one fuel tank completely because the fuel appeared to be “milky” and serviced that tank with 10 gallons of fuel, but he later amended his statement and said he drained both tanks completely before he serviced them with "a combination of Jerry cans and a friend's pickup-mounted fuel tank." He then departed. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power immediately after takeoff. The pilot attempted to return to the airport but landed in a retention pond short of the runway. The pilot reported that he performed a “shallow” turn to return to the airport, but a witness described “an abrupt/steep left-hand turn” followed by a ''stall" and descent to water contact. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. After the accident, the engine was placed in a test cell where it started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. The manufacturer and the FAA have published letters, bulletins, and advisories that provided guidance to prevent accidents due to water contamination of the fuel system. It is likely that the pilot did not drain all the water-contaminated fuel from the airplane before departure, which led to the loss of engine power after takeoff.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, the pilot/owner's inadequate preflight inspection of his airplane, and his failure to maintain airplane control after the engine failure.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On July 11, 2012, at 1053 central daylight time, a Cessna 170, N2561V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Sandy Creek Airpark (75FL), Panama City, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The ferry flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to a witness acquainted with the pilot, the airplane was departing on the first leg of a cross-country flight to Alaska. The witness helped the pilot/owner prepare the airplane for flight, as it had not flown for several months. Fuel samples were taken from each fuel tank sump, and several successive samples contained water.
In a telephone interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot/owner said he found water in several fuel samples, and ultimately drained the right fuel tank completely. He further stated that he serviced the right tank with 10 gallons of automotive gasoline to match the 10 gallons contained in the left tank. The pilot later amended his statement, and said that he drained all of the contaminated fuel from the airplane before he filled the tanks from "a combination of Jerry cans and a friend's pickup-mounted fuel tank."
After completion of a 15-minute engine run to ensure that there was "no water in the carburetor," the pilot departed, and experienced a loss of engine power immediately after takeoff. He turned the airplane to return to the airport, but landed in a retention pond short of the runway. The pilot reported that he performed a “shallow” turn to return to the airport, but the witness described “an abrupt/steep left-hand turn” followed by a ''stall" and descent to water contact.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The airline transport pilot held multiple pilot certificates and ratings. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in September 2010. The pilot reported 10,000 total hours of flight experience, of which 40 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.
AIRPLANE INFORMATION
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1948. The most recent annual inspection was completed 17 months prior to the accident, on February 11, 2011, at 1,508.0 aircraft hours. At the time of the accident, the tachometer displayed 1540.9 hours. An Airworthiness Directives compliance listing was not made available for review. An entry in the engine logbook dated January 6, 2012, indicated the number 2 cylinder was removed for valve work. There was no return-to-service entry following the reinstallation of the cylinder.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The 1456 weather observation at Greenwood County Airport (GRD), located approximately 18 miles north of the accident site, included calm winds, clear skies below 10,000 feet, temperature 31 degrees C, dew point 16 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The airplane was examined at the scene on July 12, 2012. The airplane came to rest upright in the retention pond on the west end of the runway, with the engine partially submerged in water. Five (5) five-gallon plastic gas cans floated in the pond; of which four were full of auto fuel and one was empty with remnants of auto fuel inside. One two-gallon plastic gas can full of fuel was located inside the aircraft cabin area.
The airplane was recovered from the pond, and control continuity was established from the flight controls to all flight control surfaces. The propeller was undamaged, but the carburetor was broken at its mount. A preliminary examination of the engine was performed, but then suspended. The engine was then removed for a detailed examination at a later date.
On November 6, 2012, the engine was examined in Mobile, Alabama. The engine was flushed to remove mud and water from the cylinders, and the magnetos were removed, dried, and reinstalled. The carburetor, exhaust stacks, and the starter were all replaced due to impact damage. The engine was placed in a test cell where it started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. While the engine ran, the carburetor and its mount flange were repaired with a “metal-set” adhesive. The engine was stopped, the replacement carburetor was removed, and the original carburetor was reinstalled. Once again, the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Fuel System
The fuel tanks were metal, and undamaged.
On October 23, 1970, Cessna issued Service Letter SE70-28, “Fuel tank filler neck sealing”. This Service Letter addressed fuel tank filler neck sealing on 100 series aircraft with metal fuel tanks. It stated, in part, “Because the fuel tank filler neck assembly of the type illustrated… is recessed into the upper wing surface, it is possible for water (rain, snow, etc.) to collect in this area while the aircraft is parked. For this reason it is important a waterproof condition of the assembly be maintained on in-service aircraft to prevent water from seeping into the fuel tank.”
On October 27, 1980, Cessna issued Service Information Letter SE80-87, “Fuel contamination” and its associated Owner’s Advisory. This Service Information Letter addressed fuel contamination. The letter recommended that fuel samples be obtained before the first flight of the day and after each refueling. It stated, “If contamination is detected continue draining from all fuel drain points, including drain plugs, until all contamination has been removed… Do not fly the aircraft with contaminated or unapproved fuel."
On July 30, 1982, Cessna issued Service Information Letter 82-36, “Fuel contamination” and its associated Owner’s Advisory. The purpose of this Service Information Letter was, “To stress to owners and operators the importance of routine fuel system inspection and maintenance… to detect, eliminate, and prevent fuel contamination.” The associated Owner’s Advisory stated, “If contamination is detected, it then becomes the pilot’s responsibility to see that the contaminants are removed from the fuel system prior to further flight.” The Owner’s Advisor also discusses elimination and prevention of contamination.
On July 11, 1986, Cessna issued Service Bulletin SEB86-5, titled, “Special “Seat Locked” and “Fuel Contamination” Warning Placards” and its associated Owner’s Advisory. This mandatory Service Bulletin called for the installation of a fuel contamination warning placard on the instrument panel in view of the pilot. The placard stated, “WARNING: ASSURE THAT ALL CONTAMINANTS, INCLUDING WATER, ARE REMOVED FROM FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEM BEFORE FLIGHT. FAILURE TO ASSURE CONTAMINANT FREE FUEL AND HEED ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND OWNER ADVISORIES PRIOR TO FLIGHT CAN RESULT IN BODILY INJURY OR DEATH.”
FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-125, “Water in aviation fuels” stated that the information contained “should be reviewed by maintenance personnel, fuel servicing organizations, and especially the pilots of the aircraft to assure that all precautions and inspections to prevent or eliminate water in fuel are accomplished.”Sub-section D “Flight Personnel”, paragraph (1) stated, “The pilot-in-command has the final responsibility to determine that the aircraft is properly serviced. An important part of the preflight inspection is to drain aircraft fuel tank sumps, reservoirs, gascolators, filters, and other fuel system drains to assure that the fuel supply is free of water. A review of National Transportation Safety Board Briefs of Aircraft Accidents involving 114 accidents due to fuel contamination with water occurring between January 7, 1980, and September 11, 1981, showed that the probable cause in 85 of those accidents was ‘Pilot-in-Command – Inadequate Preflight Preparation and/or Planning.’ Since water in fuel accounts for a major share of fuel quality accidents, pilots should make it a practice to include this check beginning with the next preflight inspection.”
Section 7, sub-section C, paragraph 4 discussed preflight fuel samples. It stated, in part, “Continue to drain fuel from the contaminated sump until certain the system is clear of all water.” Lastly, Section 9 stated, “Normally, upon finding water-contaminated fuel the procedures for removal of water outlined in this advisory circular should suffice. Should contamination persist or any doubt exists as to water contamination, the advice is to have the aircraft fuel system inspected by a qualified person.”
On July 30, 2010, the FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-10-40R1, “Aircraft fuel system; water contamination of fuel tank systems on Cessna single engine airplanes.” On November 2, 2011, the FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-12-06, “Aircraft fuel system; water contamination of fuel tank systems.” Both SAIB documents recommended similar steps for identifying water in fuel systems as those listed above.
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA440
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Panama City, FL
Aircraft: CESSNA 170, registration: N2561V
Injuries: 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On July 11, 2012, at 1053 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N2561V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Sandy Creek Airpark (75FL), Panama City, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed 75FL at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to a witness acquainted with the pilot, the airplane was departing on the first leg of a cross-country flight to Alaska. The witness helped the pilot/owner prep the airplane for flight, as it had not flown for several months. Fuel samples were taken from each fuel tank sump, and several successive samples contained water.
In a telephone interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot/owner said he found water in several fuel samples, and ultimately drained the right fuel tank completely. He further stated that he serviced the right tank with 10 gallons of automotive gasoline to match the 10 gallons contained in the left tank.
After completion of a 15-minute engine run to ensure that there was "no water in the carburetor," the pilot departed, and experienced a loss of engine power immediately after takeoff. He turned the airplane to return to the airport, but landed in a retention pond short of the runway.
Four 5-gallon cans and one 2-gallon can full of automotive fuel were found floating in the pond along with one empty 5-gallon can. After recovery of the airplane, two gallons of fuel, one from each main tank, were drained from the airplane.
Inspection of the airplane at the scene revealed no mechanical anomalies, and the engine was retained for further examination.
The airline transport pilot held multiple pilot certificates and ratings. His most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued in September 2010.
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1948, and the tachometer displayed 1,540.9 aircraft hours. The maintenance records were not immediately available for review.
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 2561V Make/Model: C170 Description: 1948 CESSNA 170
Date: 07/11/2012 Time: 1445
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Minor Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: PANAMA CITY State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED IN A POND, NEAR PANAMA CITY, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 1 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: BIRMINGHAM, AL (SO09) Entry date: 07/12/2012
Firefighters on the scene were unsure why the plane was carrying several 10-gallon gas cans.
ROBERT COOPER | The News Herald
First responders assess the situation.
ROBERT COOPER | The News Herald
Cessna 170, N2561V crashed Wednesday in a retention pond at Sandy Creek Airpark.
ROBERT COOPER | The News Herald
Cessna 170, N2561V crashed Wednesday in a retention pond at Sandy Creek Airpark.
ROBERT COOPER | The News Herald
Sandy Creek Airpark was the site of a plane crash on Wednesday.
ROBERT COOPER | The News Herald
CALLAWAY — A pilot was hospitalized Wednesday after the small
plane he was flying crashed into a pond near the Sandy Creek Airpark.
The pilot was in the Bay Medical Center emergency room Wednesday afternoon in serious condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Christa Hild. The pilot’s name was not released, but the registered owners of the plane are Jeff and Judy Meinel, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The plane is a single-engine fixed wing Cessna 170 built in 1948. Preliminary reports indicate the pilot lost power shortly after take off, according to Kathleen Berger, a spokeswoman for the FAA.
The pilot was in the Bay Medical Center emergency room Wednesday afternoon in serious condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Christa Hild. The pilot’s name was not released, but the registered owners of the plane are Jeff and Judy Meinel, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The plane is a single-engine fixed wing Cessna 170 built in 1948. Preliminary reports indicate the pilot lost power shortly after take off, according to Kathleen Berger, a spokeswoman for the FAA.
There has been a plane crash at the Sandy Creek Airpark in eastern Bay County. Minor injuries are being reported.
The pilot's identity was not immediately available, but it’s know he sustained minor injuries and was taken by private citizens to a local medical facility for treatment.
It’ not known what caused the plane to go down. It end up in a retention pond and sources at the scene say about 15 gallons of fuel is leaking from the tanks of the plane.
Sandy Creek is a private airstrip owned by the Sandy Creek community. It was recently repaved and is popular with private experimental aircraft owners and enthusiasts.
Source: http://www.wjhg.com
There has been a plane crash at the Sandy Creek airpark in eastern Bay County. Minor injuries are being reported.
The plane, a 1948 Cessna 170 single engine aircraft, crashed at Sandy Creek around 10:50 this morning.
The
pilot's identity was not immediately available, but it’s know he
sustained minor injuries and was taken by private citizens to a local
hospital where he is reported in serious condition. The plane is
registered to Jeff Meinel of Yellow Bluff Road.
It’ not
known what caused the plane to go down. It had just taken off and the
engine sputtered. The pilot turned around and was trying to land when he
ended up in a retention pond. Sources at the scene say about 15 gallons
of fuel is leaking from the tanks of the plane.
Sandy Creek is a private airstrip owned by the Sandy Creek community. It
was recently repaved and is popular with private experimental aircraft
and small engine plane owners and enthusiasts.
