# Accident 20150809013079A: Cessna 172C, Kissimmee, FL, August 9, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 9, 2015, 11:07 local time
- Place: Kissimmee, FL
- Airport: Kissimmee Gateway
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0000° N, 81.0000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0000&lon=-81.0000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8370X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8370X-2018-05-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172C (registry code 2072408, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172C
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300-D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 125 total, 120 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA301) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150809013079A

## Narrative

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

ON AUGUST 9, 2015 ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, HOLDER OF STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE NUMBER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS CONDUCTING STUDENT PILOT SOLO OPERATIONS AT KISSIMMEE AIRPORT (KISM) TO PRACTICE TAKEOFF'S AND LANDINGS IN N8370X.  ON THE THIRD LAP AROUND THE PATTERN THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT PLACED ONE RADIO CALL TO KISSIMMEE TOWER STATING "EMERGENCY".  SUBSEQUENTLY, KISSIMMEE CLEARED N8370X TO LAND ON RUNWAY 33.

THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT TURN TOWARDS RUNWAY 33, YET WHILE DESCENDING N8370X STRUCK A PALM TREE ON THE AIRPORT PROPERTY BOUNDARY CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO IMPACT THE GROUND NOSE FIRST NEXT TO THE RUNWAY 33 LOCALIZER ANTENNA.

DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE PROPELLER SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

THROUGH FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT EXCESSIVE FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS, THE FUEL STRAINER, THE CARBURETOR, AND THE ACCELERATOR PUMP INSIDE THE CARBURETOR.

## 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 ERA15LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA301), Aug 9, 2015: Cessna 172 (N8370X), Kissimmee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.

## Other reports on N8370X (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20110820020759I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110820020759I), Aug 20, 2011: Cessna 172C (N8370X), Yeehaw Junction, FL, No damage. On August 20, 2011 at 1910 EDT a Cessna 172, N8370X registered to [privacy data omitted] and piloted by [privacy data omitted] made an emergancy landing on the…

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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