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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

April 12, 2017 · Cessna 152 · N95551

La Porte, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
La Porte, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 152 (1984)
Tail Number
N95551
Operator
Harvey & Rihn Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN17LA153

The commercial pilot was conducting a postmaintenance test flight. He reported that no evidence of water was found in samples from the main fuel tanks during the preflight inspection. He added that, during approach to the runway, the engine lost power. He attempted to restore power but was unsuccessful. There was no remaining runway in front of him, so he turned the airplane to avoid a ditch and landed on the soft ground. The airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage and firewall. During postaccident examination of the airplane, water was found in the fuel lines, engine fuel bowl, and carburetor. An examination of the engine and fuel systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the loss of engine power resulted from water contamination of the fuel system.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that did not detect water contamination.

Full Narrative

On April 12, 2017, about 1115 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N95551, was substantially damaged when it nosed over following a forced landing at the La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The post-maintenance test flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local flight departed about 1150. According to the written statement submitted by the pilot, during a low approach to the runway, "there was a noticeable lag in the response of the engine " and the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restore power but was unsuccessful. There was no remaining runway so the pilot turned the airplane to avoid a ditch. During the landing the airplane encountered soft ground and the nose wheel dug into the ground. The airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and firewall. The airframe and engine examination revealed water contamination in the engine's fuel lines, fuel bowl, and carburetor. No water contamination was noted in either of the fuel tanks. An examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot wrote that the preflight inspection did not show any evidence of water when samples from the main fuel tanks were taken. During the preflight run-up the engine ran without hesitation or sputtering.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest AirportLa Porte Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length2998 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN95551
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarvey & Rihn Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data