Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near England, AR — 2018-03-07

Final reportGAA18CA160
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Date
2018-03-07
Location
England, AR, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N1889Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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.

NTSB narrative

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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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