# NTSB ATL96LA015: Cessna 172E, N3608S, Lajas, PR, November 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1995, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Lajas, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA015

## Probable cause

the student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a loss of power due to water in the fuel.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing

## Analysis

The pilot was on a local instructional solo flight when he reported that the engine malfunctioned.  A forced landing was made in a ranch field.  A fuel examination was performed, and water was found in the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl.  Fuel tank samples from the FBO where the airplane was fueled prior to the accident showed no signs of water.

## Factual narrative

On November 26, 1995, about 1255 atlantic standard time, a Cessna 172E, N3608S, collided with the ground during a forced landing, at Lajas, Puerto Rico.  The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A flight plan was not filed for the solo, instructional flight. There were no injuries to the student pilot, the sole occupant, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  Origination of the flight was Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, about 1230, on the same day.

The pilot reported that the engine malfunctioned, for unknown reasons.  A forced landing was made in a ranch field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.

During a conversation with the FAA FSDO inspector handling this case, he stated that when he reached the accident site, it was raining.  He said they removed the wings after the crash, and drained fuel from the fuel cells.  A fuel examination statement recieved from this FAA Inspector indicated approximately three hours of fuel were remaining in the fuel tanks.  It also indicated water was found in the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl.  A fuel tank sample and records check at the FBO where the airplane was last fueled before the accident showed no presence of water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3608S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3608S-1997-01-22), registration cancelled 1997-01-22, S/N 17250808 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250808
- Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hector L. Reyes Ortiz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MAZ, MAYAGUEZ, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 136 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAZ, 12 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 19951126038439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951126038439A), Nov 26, 1995: Cessna 172E, Lajas, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost power local flight. Landed farm field. Found water in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N3608S (1)

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 MIA80FKA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FKA10), Sep 24, 1980: Cessna 172 (N3608S), Guanica, PR, destroyed

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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