# NTSB ATL89LA186: Cessna 172L, N336AF, N Myrtle Beach, SC, August 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1989, 11:28 local (15:28 UTC)
- Place: N Myrtle Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.820003, -78.670455 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8200&lon=-78.6705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA186

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FUEL SUPPLY, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  SWAMPY TERRAIN AT THE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LNDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE ON SWAMPY TERRAIN; THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LNDG. EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE MISHAP REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL STRAINER AND CARBURETOR. THE ENGINE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WATER WAS REMOVED. ALSO, IT DEVELOPED NORMAL POWER DURING A RUNUP, AND NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N336AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N336AF), registered now, S/N 17260404, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260404
- Airframe hours: 7018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fun Flight Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1989, 80 hours before
- Airport: CRE, Grand Strand

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 1 nm away

## 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 19890801026179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890801026179A), Aug 1, 1989: Cessna 172L, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in a swamp and nosed over. Found water in fuel.

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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