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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 3, 1986 · Cessna 177A · N30365

Huntsville, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Huntsville, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 177A
Tail Number
N30365
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA193

THE ACFT HAD SET ON THE RAMP WITH LITTLE FUEL IN IT FOR APRX ONE WEEK. JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE PILOT TOOK FUEL SAMPLES, BUT FOUND NO WATER. HE THEN TAXIED TO THE FUEL PUMPS AND ADDED APRX 20 GAL OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. ANOTHER FUEL SAMPLE WAS NOT TAKEN. THE PLT THEN TAXIED TO THE RWY FOR TAKE OFF. AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS FULL OF WATER. THE FUEL TANK CAPS WERE CHECKED & DID NOT LEAK. THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS CHECKED & FOUND TO HAVE NO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE TANKS HAD NOT ONLY BEEN EMPTY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, BUT THERE REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN A LARGE VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT HAD SET ON THE RAMP WITH LITTLE FUEL IN IT FOR APRX ONE WEEK. JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE PILOT TOOK FUEL SAMPLES, BUT FOUND NO WATER. HE THEN TAXIED TO THE FUEL PUMPS AND ADDED APRX 20 GAL OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. ANOTHER FUEL SAMPLE WAS NOT TAKEN. THE PLT THEN TAXIED TO THE RWY FOR TAKE OFF. AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS FULL OF WATER. THE FUEL TANK CAPS WERE CHECKED & DID NOT LEAK. THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS CHECKED & FOUND TO HAVE NO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE TANKS HAD NOT ONLY BEEN EMPTY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, BUT THERE REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN A LARGE VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMOONTOWN (1nm WNW)
Runway27
Runway Length2180 ft
Runway Width160 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177A
Tail NumberN30365
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1F · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data