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NTSB Report
January 3, 1988 · Cessna 172 · N40AZ
Tampa, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Tampa, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N40AZ
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA88LA082
AFTER PREFLIGHTING THE ACFT, 30.8 GAL OF FUEL WERE ADDED. NO FURTHER INSP WAS PERFORMED. THE FLT TOOK OFF AFTER AN ENG RUNUP WAS ACCOMPLISHED. NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OF THE FIRST TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, AT AN ALT OF APRX 75 FT, THE ENG QUIT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON AN ACCESS ROAD, THE PLT LANDED SHORT. AS A RESULT, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT SAT OUTSIDE UNCOVERED FOR APRX FIVE WEEKS WITH 6.2 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. INSP OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 PINT OF WATER. NO SAMPLE COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE RT TANK. DRAINING OF THE GASCOLATOR REVEALED THAT IT CONTAINED MOSTLY WATER. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED.
Full Narrative
AFTER PREFLIGHTING THE ACFT, 30.8 GAL OF FUEL WERE ADDED. NO FURTHER INSP WAS PERFORMED. THE FLT TOOK OFF AFTER AN ENG RUNUP WAS ACCOMPLISHED. NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OF THE FIRST TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, AT AN ALT OF APRX 75 FT, THE ENG QUIT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON AN ACCESS ROAD, THE PLT LANDED SHORT. AS A RESULT, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT SAT OUTSIDE UNCOVERED FOR APRX FIVE WEEKS WITH 6.2 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. INSP OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 PINT OF WATER. NO SAMPLE COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE RT TANK. DRAINING OF THE GASCOLATOR REVEALED THAT IT CONTAINED MOSTLY WATER. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 EST
Nearest AirportVandenberg (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3260 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN40AZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC