# NTSB ATL82FA145: Cessna U206G, N777HD, Norfolk, VA, May 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1982, 18:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Location: 36.8468° N, 76.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norfolk, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8468&lon=-76.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA145

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,cap - corroded (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - distorted (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - inadequate (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT DURING FINAL APPROACH. THE ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM LEADING TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. ON 2/8/82 SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. WATER HAD ENTERED THE SYSTEM THROUGH A LEAKING FUEL CAP. POST CRASH TEST SHOWED THAT WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM COULD NOT BE DRAINED DUE TO RIDGES & WALLS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL BLADDER THAT TRAPPED WATER. THESE TESTSALSO SHOWED THAT DUE TO THE DIHEDRAL & ANGLE OF INCIDENCE OF HIGH WING CESSNAS WATER COULD NOT OVERCOME THESE RIDGES & FLOW TO THE DESIGN DRAIN POINTS IN THE WINGS. THE SAFETY BOARD HAS ISSUED SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777HD-1985-04-04), registration cancelled 1985-04-04, S/N U20603760 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206G
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20603760
- Airframe hours: 1043
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F-9 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ron Hall
- Registered owner: Rlh Enterprises
- Departed: CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Destination: NORFOLK, VA
- Airport: ORF, Norfolk Muni., runway 14, 4,876 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,110 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,979 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 180 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820529019949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820529019949A), May 29, 1982: Cessna U206G, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing attempt trying to reach runway.

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.

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