Thursday, March 08, 2018

Cessna 172C Skyhawk, N1889Y: Accident occurred March 07, 2018 in England, Lonoke County, Arkansas

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


http://registry.faa.gov/N1889Y


Analysis 

The student pilot reported that, during the preflight, he and the pilot-rated passenger, who was not a flight instructor, inspected the fuel sumps on each wing and the engine, "pulling [a] sample on each." He added that, during departure from the airstrip, after they became airborne for about 9 seconds, the engine rpm dropped to idle. The propeller was still rotating, but the airplane's engine was not producing power. Subsequently, the airplane landed in a cotton field, the nose landing gear sheared off, and the airplane came to rest nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and fuselage.

The student pilot reported that the airplane had gone through a pre-purchase inspection the previous week, and the airplane had accrued little time since the annual, which was 7 months before the accident flight. He added that it seemed like the airplane was starved for fuel.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported finding substantial water in the gascolator. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to detect water in the fuel system during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power during departure and a subsequent impact with terrain.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid condition (Cause)

Personnel issues
Preflight inspection - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Fuel related (Defining event)

Emergency descent
Off-field or emergency landing

Landing-landing roll
Landing gear collapse

Nose over/nose down

Location: England, AR
Accident Number: GAA18CA160
Date & Time: 03/07/2018, 1700 CST
Registration: N1889Y
Aircraft: CESSNA 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The student pilot reported that, during the preflight, he and the non-CFI pilot rated passenger inspected the fuel sumps on each wing and the engine, "pulling [a] sample on each". He added that, during departure from the airstrip, after they became airborne for approximately 9 seconds, the engine "failed dropping rpm to an idle". He added that the propeller was still rotating, but the airplane's engine was not producing power. Subsequently, the airplane landed in a cotton field, the nose landing gear sheared off, and the airplane came to rest nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and fuselage.

The student pilot reported that the airplane had gone through a pre-purchase inspection the previous week and the airplane had accrued little time since the annual, which was 7 months prior to the accident flight. He added that it seemed like the airplane was starved for fuel.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported finding substantial water in the gascolator.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Waiver Time Limited Special
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/01/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 50 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 48 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/09/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/26/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 957 hours (Total, all aircraft), 107 hours (Total, this make and model), 957 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N1889Y
Model/Series: 172 C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17249489
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/08/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-300-D
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:145 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGT, 224 ft msl
Observation Time: 2256 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 65°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / -2°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots, 320°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: England, AR
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: England, AR
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1700 CST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  34.486667, -91.865556 (est)

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