# NTSB ATL82FLJ04: Porterfield CP-65, N37768, Jacksonville, NC, February 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1982, 16:11 local (21:11 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, NC
- Location: 34.7541° N, 77.4302° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jacksonville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7541&lon=-77.4302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLJ04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG SPUTTER AFTER TAKEOFF AS THE ACFT WAS IN A STEEP CLIMB. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO TURN SHARPLY LEFT, ENTER A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASH. ABOUT 1/2 TEASPOON OF RUSTY WATER WAS FOUND IN THE MAIN FUEL STRAINER & THE FUEL SCREEN CONTAINED RUST. ABOUT 1/2 OUNCE OF CONTAMINATED WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AT ALBERT ELLIS ARPT WHERE THE FBO HAD BEEN OUT OF FUEL THE PREVIOUS 45 DAYS ON 5 OR 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. TWO OTHER ACFT ALSO REPORTED RECEIVING CONTAMINATED FUEL FROM THE FBO. THE FUEL FILTERS ON THE FUEL TRUCK & AT THE FUEL FARM WERE OUT OF DATE. THE DAY THE ACFT WAS REFUELED, THE FUEL TRUCK TOOK ON A LOAD OF FUEL AT THE FARM AT THE SAME TIME A FUEL TANKER TRUCK WAS OFF-LOADING FUEL INTO THE FARM. THE ACFT FUSELAGE TANKDOES NOT HAVE A QUICK DRAIN. THE ENG PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING A SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONAL CHECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N37768 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PORTERFIELD CP-65
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 977
- Airframe hours: 2457
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jas. Simpson
- Registered owner: Jas. Simpson
- Departed: JACKSONVILLE, NC
- Destination: JACKSONVILLE, NC
- Airport: Piney Green

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 530 total, 57 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWN

## 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 19820214004269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820214004269A), Feb 14, 1982: Norwst CP65PORTFLD, Jacksonville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine sputtered during climb after takeoff. Aircraft stalled and crashed into greenhouse.

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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