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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 1, 1993 · Cessna O-2A · N5151A

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 1, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna O-2A
Tail Number
N5151A
Operator
Nat Museum of Naval Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA001

The front and then rear engines lost partial power during initial climb from the Ryan Field near Tucson, Arizona. Unable to continue climbing, the pilot made a forced landing in rough terrain about two miles east of the airport. An examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed two of the front engine's six fuel injectors were partially clogged with a foreign substance. No clogging of the rear injectors was found. Prior to the accident (ferry) flight, the airplane had been idle for several years. In preparation for the flight, recent maintenance which included limited purging of the fuel system had reportedly been accomplished by contractor maintenance personnel.

NTSB Probable Cause

was the partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to partial clogging of the engine's fuel injectors. Blockage of the fuel injectors was due to inadequate maintenance of the fuel system by contract maintenance personnel.

Full Narrative

On October 1, 1993, at 1220 mountain standard time, a Cessna O- 2A, N5151A, experienced a partial loss of engine power to the front and rear engines during initial climb from the Ryan Field near Tucson, Arizona. The pilot made a forced landing in an open field about two miles east of the airport. The airplane was substantially damaged upon impacting the rough, desert terrain. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. The pilot verbally reported that prior to the accident flight the airplane had been idle for several years. The pilot had been hired to ferry the airplane from Arizona to the southeast United States. In preparation for the flight, a contractor had performed limited maintenance on the airplane. According to the pilot, during takeoff the airplane's front engine suddenly lost power. Its rpm reduced from full power to about 1,600 rpm, and then the rear engine lost power. The fuel flow became "low and intermittent" and the airplane stopped climbing. The pilot further reported that because the engines' oil temperature and pressure remained in the normal operating range, he believed both engines had experienced fuel starvation. On October 7, 1993, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that its examination of the airplane revealed two of the front engine's six fuel injectors were found partially clogged with a foreign substance. The FAA inspector stated that the contractor had evidently not completely purged the airplane's entire fuel system during efforts at preparing the airplane for the ferry flight. In October of 1993 and in May of 1994, the pilot was requested to complete the required Safety Board "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1. When the Board receives the pilot's form, it will be appended to this report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:20 MST
Nearest AirportRyan Field (2nm E)
Runway6R
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna O-2A
Tail NumberN5151A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNat Museum of Naval Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data