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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

June 23, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N70RS

Centreville, AL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Centreville, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N70RS
Operator
Lee Charles D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA168

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING TURNS. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT DIRT DURING THE LDG AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT ATTRIBUTED THE PWR LOSS TO WATER IN THE FUEL. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD DRAINED ABOUT 1 PINT OF WATER FROM ONE OF THE TANKS DURING PRE-FLT INSPECTION, AND THAT HE ROCKED THE WINGS AND LOWERED THE TAIL DURING THE INSPECTION IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE ALL REMAINING WATER. THE STUDENT NOTED THAT A LOT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN OVER THE PRECEDING 2 WEEKS, AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE WITH LESS-THAN-FULL TANKS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE MISHAP REPORTED THAT HE FOUND WATER IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL TANK FILLER-CAP GASKETS WERE INTACT AND PLIABLE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE ALL REMAINING WATER FROM THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM DURING PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH LED TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING TURNS. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT DIRT DURING THE LDG AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT ATTRIBUTED THE PWR LOSS TO WATER IN THE FUEL. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD DRAINED ABOUT 1 PINT OF WATER FROM ONE OF THE TANKS DURING PRE-FLT INSPECTION, AND THAT HE ROCKED THE WINGS AND LOWERED THE TAIL DURING THE INSPECTION IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE ALL REMAINING WATER. THE STUDENT NOTED THAT A LOT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN OVER THE PRECEDING 2 WEEKS, AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE WITH LESS-THAN-FULL TANKS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE MISHAP REPORTED THAT HE FOUND WATER IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL TANK FILLER-CAP GASKETS WERE INTACT AND PLIABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN70RS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLee Charles D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 17 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data