# Accident 20030901026139A: Cessna 172F, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, September 1, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 1, 2003, 12:10 local time
- Place: Fajardo, Puerto Rico
- Airport: Diego Jimenez Torres Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 18.3078° N, 65.6617° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.3078&lon=-65.6617&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8578U, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8578U-2013-05-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172F (registry code 2072414, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Reported engine: LYC O360A3A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 24,642 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA03LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA176) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030901026139A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2003, AT APPROXIMATELY 1130(LCL), A CESSNA MODEL 172-F N8578U CRASHED ON A FIELD NEAR THE FAJARDO AIRPORT TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKE-OFF. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH AN ALTITUDE OF 300'. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT BY TURNING 180 DEGREES TRYING TO REACH THE STRIP, BUT DUE TO THE LOW ALTITUDE AT THE MOMENT OF FAILURE, WAS FORCED TO LAND ON A FARM NEARBY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AFTER LANDING DUE TO TERRAIN'S TOPOGRAPHY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA03LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA176), Sep 1, 2003: Cessna 172F (N8578U), Fajardo, PR, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight resulting in the airplane being operated with water contamination in the fuel system, and the loss of engine power.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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