# NTSB ATL94LA143: Cessna 182F, N3513U, Raeford, NC, July 19, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1994, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Raeford, NC - Coordinates: 34.970211, -79.220542 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9702&lon=-79.2205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA143 ## Probable cause AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF TREES AT THE FORCED LANDING AREA. ## 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 (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis AFTER FUELING THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT OBSERVED 'A LOT' OF WATER IN THE FUEL, WHEN CHECKING THE SUMPS. HE SHOOK THE WINGS, AND AGAIN OBSERVED WATER. HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, THEN HE CHECKED THE SUMPS AGAIN. HE DRAINED WATER UNTIL NO MORE WATER WAS OBSERVED. AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH TREES. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WATER IN THE FUEL TANKS AND CARBURETOR BOWL. THE FUEL SUPPLY AT THE FBO WAS CHECKED, AND NO CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1994, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3513U, collided with trees during a forced landing in Raeford, North Carolina. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Larry B. Franklin. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Gardiner, New York. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he started the engine, and taxied to the fueling area at about 0930 on the day of the accident. After fueling the airplane, he checked the fuel system for water. He reported finding "a lot" of water. He shook the wings, and again observed water in the fuel. He shook the wings again, and let the aircraft sit for about an hour. More fuel was then drained until water was no longer visible. The flight departed about 1245. About 100 to 200 feet above ground level, during the initial climb, the engine quit, suddenly. He put the aircraft down in a wooded area, crashing into trees. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the wreckage. He reported the following: The throttle and mixture controls operated properly. Fuel had been removed from the fuel tanks prior to his arrival, however, there was evidence of water remaining in the system when draining the sumps. The carburetor bowl was examined, and it contained water. There was evidence of water in the engine oil supply. Several spark plugs were removed, and all revealed an appearance of being "steam cleaned." When the engine was pulled through by hand, there was no evidence of seizure. The fuel supply for the airport fixed base operator was tested; no evidence of contamination was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3513U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3513U), registered now, S/N 18254913, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182F - Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254913 - Airframe hours: 4355 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Franklin, Larry B. - Registered owner: Franklin, Larry B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1993 - Destination: 5NY5, GARDINER, NY - Airport: 5W4, Raeford Municipal, runway 22, 3,402 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,850 total, 900 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAY, 16 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 19940719020269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940719020269A), Jul 19, 1994: Cessna 182F, Raeford, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in trees. Had drained water in fuel. Preflight. Water remained even in oil system. ## Other investigations on N3513U (2) 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 CHI87LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA089), Feb 21, 1987: Cessna 182F (N3513U), Pontiac, MI, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW65D0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW65D0020), Apr 11, 1965: Cessna 182F (N3513U), Burnet, TX, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.