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July 25, 2019 · Cessna 152 · N47028

Wakefield, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wakefield, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 152 (1979)
Tail Number
N47028
Operator
Norfolk Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19TA235

During the preflight inspection, the pilot sampled the fuel from the right main fuel tank seven times until no water was present in the sample. He also checked the airplane’s left main fuel tank, fuel strainer, and a belly sump and there was no water in those samples. He flew uneventfully to a nearby airport where he intended to perform practice touch and go landings. During the takeoff phase of the first practice touch-and-go landing, the airplane was flying about 25 ft above ground level when the engine sputtered. The pilot landed the airplane on the remaining portion of the runway near the departure end, then because there was insufficient runway to stop, he turned the airplane left. The airplane impacted a perimeter fence before coming to rest upright. The fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane revealed water in fuel samples recovered from the carburetor, the belly sump, and the firewall sump, which indicates that water was still present in the fuel system following the pilot’s preflight inspection. The examination also revealed a gray putty substance around the right wing fuel cap gasket, which did not appear to be an approved repair. Additionally, before the day of the accident, the airplane sat outside in rain. Given this information, it is likely that rainwater leaked into the fuel system through the improperly sealing right wing tank fuel cap.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect and remove all water from fuel, and maintenance personnel’s unapproved repair of the right wing fuel cap, which resulted in fuel contamination and a subsequent partial loss of engine power during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 25, 2019, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N47028, was substantially damaged during a rejected takeoff at Wakefield Municipal Airport (AKQ), Wakefield, Virginia. The solo private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot stated that prior to his first flight of the day from Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk, Virginia, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included a check of each fuel tank, which were full. No water was detected in the left main fuel tank, but during sump testing of the right main fuel tank, he had to get seven samples from the tank before the sample was clear and no water was present. He also checked the fuel strainer and a belly drain, and there was no water in the sample from either. The pilot flew from ORF to AKQ uneventfully with the intention to perform touch-and-go landings on runway 20, a 4,337-ft-long asphalt runway. During the takeoff phase of the first touch-and-go landing, about 25 feet above ground level, the engine sputtered. The pilot landed the airplane on the remaining portion of the runway, near the departure end. Realizing there was insufficient runway to stop, he turned the airplane left and it impacted a perimeter fence before coming to rest upright. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer were damaged. During the examination, the inspector recovered fuel with water in it from three sources: the carburetor, the belly sump, and the firewall sump. The inspector also noted what appeared to be a gray putty substance around the right wing fuel cap gasket, which did not appear to be an approved repair. The inspector added that prior to the day of the accident, the airplane sat outside in rain.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 EDT
Nearest AirportWakefield Municipal Airport (1nm S)
Runway20
Runway Length4337 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN47028
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorfolk Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 SERIES · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data