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April 19, 2021 · Cessna 170B · N2955D

Curtis, NE

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Curtis, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 170B (1955)
Tail Number
N2955D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA206

The pilot reported that he took off from his private airstrip and flew for about 30 minutes before landing at a nearby airport for fuel. After fueling with 24 gallons of fuel, he did not perform a pre-takeoff run-up of the engine and departed the airport. About 1.5 miles from the airport the engine sputtered and lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a small field. During the landing roll as the airplane was approaching the end of the field, the pilot applied heavy braking which caused the airplane to nose down coming to rest on it nose. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left outboard wing. The pilot reported that after the accident he sampled the fuel from the wing tanks and gascolator. The fuel sample from the gascolator was about one-half water and one-half fuel. The wing tank samples contained all water. The pilot provided photographs of the airport above ground fuel tank including photographs of the interior of the tank. The tank interior showed a large amount of rusted metal in the bottom of the tank. The airport manager reported that the airport fuel tank was about 30 years old and was of double wall construction. Water had entered the space between the inner and outer walls of the tank and the inner tank had rusted by allowing water to enter the inner tank and fuel supply. The tank did not have filtering on the outlet. The airport ordered a new tank and planned to include filters on the outlet, including a water separating filter.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Landing distance-Attain/maintain not possible

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he took off from his private airstrip and flew for about 30 minutes before landing at a nearby airport for fuel. After fueling with 24 gallons of fuel, he did not perform a pre-takeoff run-up of the engine and departed the airport. About 1.5 miles from the airport the engine sputtered and lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a small field. During the landing roll as the airplane was approaching the end of the field, the pilot applied heavy braking which caused the airplane to nose down coming to rest on it nose. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left outboard wing. The pilot reported that after the accident he sampled the fuel from the wing tanks and gascolator. The fuel sample from the gascolator was about one-half water and one-half fuel. The wing tank samples contained all water. The pilot provided photographs of the airport above ground fuel tank including photographs of the interior of the tank. The tank interior showed a large amount of rusted metal in the bottom of the tank. The airport manager reported that the airport fuel tank was about 30 years old and was of double wall construction. Water had entered the space between the inner and outer walls of the tank and the inner tank had rusted by allowing water to enter the inner tank and fuel supply. The tank did not have filtering on the outlet. The airport ordered a new tank and planned to include filters on the outlet, including a water separating filter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest AirportCurtis Muni (1.5nm E)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN2955D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 F / 28 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time19:53

Appendix: Source Data