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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 1, 1995 · Cessna 150M · N8779U

Beaufort, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Beaufort, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N8779U
Operator
Master Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL96LA031

After adding 6 gallons of fuel to the right fuel tank, the dual student checked the fuel tank sumps, completed the pre-flight inspection, and then took off. The instructor stated that during cruise flight, the engine lost power. An emergency landing was attempted on a beach. On the landing roll the airplane struck a tree stump. Post accident investigation by the instructor revealed water in both fuel tanks.

NTSB Probable Cause

An inadequate preflight which resulted in water contamination in the fuel system and the subsequent loss of engine power. The tree stump was a factor.

Full Narrative

On December 1, 1995, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150M, N8779U, collided with a tree stump during a forced landing near Beaufort, South Carolina. The aircraft was operated by Master Aviation under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the instructional flight. There were no injuries to the commercial flight instructor, nor the student, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight departed Hilton Head, South Carolina, at 1600 on the same day. The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane at Hilton Head, prior to takeoff, with six gallons of aviation gasoline. All six gallons were added to the right tank. About ten minutes after refueling, the student pilot performed a pre-flight inspection, that included sampling the fuel from the tank drains. Shortly after take off, while the aircraft was in cruise flight, the engine quit. The instructor executed a forced landing. On landing roll, the aircraft struck a tree stump, twisting the fuselage, and buckling the tail cone. The pilot stated that after the forced landing, he drained fuel from the right wing and the sump. According to him, both samples contained water. Upon further examination of the engine, no other engine problems were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN8779U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMaster Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 3 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data