20010314005559A

(.19)On March 14, 2001, about 1120 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N6584F, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a river in Huntington, west Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the ferry flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. According to the pilot, he purchased the airplane in January, and it was overdue for an annual inspection. He was issued a ferry permit by the federal aviation administration (FAA), to fly the airplane from the lawrence county airpark (htw), Huntington, west Virginia, to the ona airpark (12V), milton, west Virginia, to receive an annual inspection. Before his departure from htw, the pilot performed a thorough preflight inspection. He reported draining water out of the fuel drains, "until the fuel was clear." The pilot performed a run-up inspection and "everything looked good." He then taxied to runway 26 and departed the airport. About 3 to 4 miles from htw, at an altitude of 1,900 feet, the engine started "sputtering" and the pilot immediately turned the airplane back toward htw. Upon completion of the turn, the engine lost power and the pil ol attempted to restart it several times. When he determined that he would not make it back to the airport, he turned the airplane toward the shore of a river, and prepared for a forced landing. The pilot estimated that the airplane impacted the water about 50 to 60 knots, and sank immediately. He was able to egress from the airplane and swam to the shore. The pilot reported that the airplane had not be refueled since he purchased it in January. He stated that during the preflight inspection, he observed about 8 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank, and 6 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank. According to a mechanic who worked at htw, the pilot requested his assistance in obtaining a ferry permit to fly the airplane to 12V to receive an annual inspection. The mechanic explained the process of obtaining the permit to the pilot, and agreed to prepare the airplane for the ferry flight. The mechanic examined the airplane on March 12, 2001, and observed a "significant amount of water" in the fuel samples he drained. The first sample he drained from both fuel tanks, filled the fuel strainer with water. The mechanic took about 3 to 4 more samples in each fuel tank, of which the fuel strainer contained about 3/4 of an inch of water each time. After all the water appeared to be drained from the fuel system, the mechanic ran the engine for 20 to 30 minutes on the ground, and reported no abnormalities. On March 13, 2001, the mechanic received the ferry flight permit from the FAA. He drained the fuel tanks again, and the fuel was absent of any contamination or water. The mechanic then called the pilot and explained that he had obtained the ferry permit, and had observed a significant amount of water in the fuel system. The mechanic reported that the pilot planned to fly the airplane to 12V the next morning, to receive an annual inspection. Additionally, the mechanic reported that the airplane had not been flown for at least 3 months and the fuel filler necks had rusted. He also stated that it had rained continuously throughout the night previous to the accident flight.a search for the airplane was conducted by the army corps of engineers and the us coast guard; however, as of March 23, 2001, the airplane had not been located. (-23)pilot departed lawrence county airport (htw), chesapeake, Ohio, at approximately 1110 local, enroute to ona airpark (12V), ona, west Virginia. The aircraft was being operated under a special flight permit to allow the aircraft to be ferried to 12V for an annual inspection. The pilot stated that while climbing at approximately. 2000' MSL and 3 miles se of htw the aircraft engine began to sputter. He immediately leveled off and elected to return to htw. While attempting to return to htw the engine completely ceased operation and the pilot determined that due to large trees on the approach end of runway 26, he would not be able to make the runway. Therefore, the pilot elected to ditch the airplane in the Ohio river approximately 100-150 yards east of the 17th street bridge that connects Huntington, w.v. to chesapeake, OH. The aircraft sank in approximately 25-30' of water and as of this date has not been found. (.4) the airplane was 4 months overdue for an annual inspection, and the pilot applied for a ferry permit to fly it to an inspection facility. Two days prior to the accident, a local mechanic examined the airplane, and observed a "significant amount of water" in the fuel samples he drained. He also noted that the fuel filler necks were corroded. The mechanic drained all of the water out of the tanks, and then ran the engine for 30 minutes with no abnormalities. The pilot stated that he performed a thorough preflight inspection prior to his departure, and drained water out of the fuel drains "until the fuel was clear." After departure, about 3 to 4 miles from the airport, the engine lost power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a river. The airplane sank in the river, and was not recovered. According to the pilot and the mechanic, it had rained continuously throughout the night prior to the accident flight.