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May 27, 2001 · Cessna 182P · N9875E

Hondo, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hondo, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 182P
Tail Number
N9875E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW01LA130

The engine power dropped to 900 rpm during cruise flight at 2,500 feet msl. During the off airport landing, the nose landing gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position. Water and debris were found mixed with the fuel drained from the gascolator. The pilot reported that he found no water in the fuel during the preflight, and no discrepancies with the aircraft during the pre-takeoff run up of the engine. A fuel sample from the fueling truck was not contaminated.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane, which resulted in a loss of engine power in cruise flight due to water in the fuel. A contributing factor was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2001, at 1140 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, single-engine airplane, N9875E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Hondo, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross-country flight to Wharton, Texas. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight which departed Hondo Municipal Airport at 1120. The pilot reported that he performed the preflight and found "no water in [the] fuel." The airplane was topped with 25.2 gallons of fuel for the planned flight, and the pilot verified that the fuel tanks were full. Following a satisfactory pre-takeoff, the flight departed runway 17. Several minutes after the airplane was in cruise flight at 2,500 feet msl, the engine power decreased to 900 rpm. The pilot performed the emergency checklist; however, the engine did not regain cruise power. During the off airport landing, the nose gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane came to rest in the inverted position. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found the vertical stabilizer bent, upper rudder area crushed, right wing strut bent, and the left wing buckled outboard of the wing strut. The fuselage was wrinkled and buckled. On May 29, 2001, an FAA inspector examined the airplane at Rusty's Flying Service, Hondo, Texas. Water came out of the carburetor when the throttle was operated. Water and debris were found mixed with the fuel drained from the gascolator. A fuel sample from the fuel truck looked "clear with some minute fibers floating in it," and the fuel color was consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel. Maintenance records, reviewed by the FAA inspector, indicated the last annual inspection was performed on March 10, 2001.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 CDT
Nearest AirportHondo Municipal (5nm E)
Runway17
Runway Length6024 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182P
Tail NumberN9875E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-S · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 120 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data