# NTSB ATL83LA148: Cessna 175, N7588M, Tuscaloosa, AL, April 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1983, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Location: 33.2206° N, 87.6114° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TUSCALOOSA NTL (TCL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2206&lon=-87.6114&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED OFF THE RUNWAY IN SOFT TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING AND NOSED DOWN. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AT 400 AGL ON TAKEOFF. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE FIELD AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT COULD NOT COMPLETE THE TURN TO LINE UP WITH THE RUNWAY SO HE LANDED BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND NOSED DOWN IN THE MUD. INSPECTION SHOWED WATER IN THE CARBURETOR SUMP. THE FUEL FILLER CAPS AND SEALS WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7588M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7588M), registered now, S/N 55888 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2072502
- Airframe hours: 2039
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orville Ernest Parker,Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1982, 13 hours before
- Destination: M26, RED BAY, AL
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosa

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 426 total, 415 in this make and model, 334 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830403013079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830403013079A), Apr 3, 1983: Cessna 175, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Turned back but landed short of runway in soft mud. Found water in fuel. Leaky fuel caps

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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