Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180K near Columbus, OH — 2021-06-14

Final reportCEN21LA265
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Date
2021-06-14
Location
Columbus, OH, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 180K
Registration
N13159
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from sealant contamination in the wing.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was in cruise flight at 1,000 ft above ground level when the engine sputtered. As the pilot executed a 180° turn toward the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot also reported that the radios lost power. The airplane impacted trees in a heavily wooded area short of the open field and sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage during the forced landing. The airplane had undergone numerous modifications, including a change from bladder fuel tanks to integral fuel tanks in the wings. Four days before the accident, a mechanic had drained the left wing of fuel and resealed it with a sealant. The wing was then refueled, and leak checked. Postaccident examination showed sealant contamination in the left fuel tank, varying in size up to 1 inch. The sealant was not adhering to the inside of the wing tank. Although the fuel screens were found unobstructed, due to the size and number of the sealant pieces fuel flow from the left tank could likely have been obstructed, resulting in a loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after engine sputtered.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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