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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

February 21, 1988 · Piper PA-28-180 · N32019

Annapolis, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Annapolis, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N32019
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO88LA023

THE PLT SAID HE DID A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT WHICH INCLUDED A CHECK FOR WATER IN THE FUEL. TANKS WERE PARTIALLY FULL- 17 GALS IN EACH ONE. A PRE-TAKEOFF ENG RUNUP WAS NORMAL. DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB THE ENG HAD A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. AFTER HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HE DITCHED THE ACFT IN A NEARBY CREEK. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CARBURETOR LIQUID CONTENT WAS HALF FUEL AND HALF WATER. THE CARB WAS DRAINED AND THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THREE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS RESULTED IN ABOUT ONE MINUTE OF OPERATION BEFORE IT STOPPED BY ITSELF. CHEMICAL TEST OF THE LIQUID CONTENT OF THE CARB DISCLOSED THAT 23 VOLUME PERCENT OF THE WATER WAS NOT CREEK WATER.

Full Narrative

THE PLT SAID HE DID A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT WHICH INCLUDED A CHECK FOR WATER IN THE FUEL. TANKS WERE PARTIALLY FULL- 17 GALS IN EACH ONE. A PRE-TAKEOFF ENG RUNUP WAS NORMAL. DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB THE ENG HAD A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. AFTER HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HE DITCHED THE ACFT IN A NEARBY CREEK. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CARBURETOR LIQUID CONTENT WAS HALF FUEL AND HALF WATER. THE CARB WAS DRAINED AND THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THREE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS RESULTED IN ABOUT ONE MINUTE OF OPERATION BEFORE IT STOPPED BY ITSELF. CHEMICAL TEST OF THE LIQUID CONTENT OF THE CARB DISCLOSED THAT 23 VOLUME PERCENT OF THE WATER WAS NOT CREEK WATER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest AirportLEE (1nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN32019
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 12 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data