# NTSB ATL96LA031: Cessna 150M, N8779U, Beaufort, SC, December 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 1995, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Beaufort, SC - Coordinates: 32.330875, -80.680381 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3309&lon=-80.6804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3683/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA031 ## Probable cause An inadequate preflight which resulted in water contamination in the fuel system and the subsequent loss of engine power. The tree stump was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (cause) ## Analysis After adding 6 gallons of fuel to the right fuel tank, the dual student checked the fuel tank sumps, completed the pre-flight inspection, and then took off. The instructor stated that during cruise flight, the engine lost power. An emergency landing was attempted on a beach. On the landing roll the airplane struck a tree stump. Post accident investigation by the instructor revealed water in both fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 1995, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150M, N8779U, collided with a tree stump during a forced landing near Beaufort, South Carolina. The aircraft was operated by Master Aviation under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the instructional flight. There were no injuries to the commercial flight instructor, nor the student, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight departed Hilton Head, South Carolina, at 1600 on the same day. The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane at Hilton Head, prior to takeoff, with six gallons of aviation gasoline. All six gallons were added to the right tank. About ten minutes after refueling, the student pilot performed a pre-flight inspection, that included sampling the fuel from the tank drains. Shortly after take off, while the aircraft was in cruise flight, the engine quit. The instructor executed a forced landing. On landing roll, the aircraft struck a tree stump, twisting the fuselage, and buckling the tail cone. The pilot stated that after the forced landing, he drained fuel from the right wing and the sump. According to him, both samples contained water. Upon further examination of the engine, no other engine problems were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8779U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8779U-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 15077987, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15077987 - Airframe hours: 6296 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Master Aviation - Registered owner: Greg Fox - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 22, 1995, 12 hours before - Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC - Destination: 73J, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 386 total, 102 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NBC, 5 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 19951201047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951201047139A), Dec 1, 1995: Cessna 150M, Beaufort, SC, Substantial damage. Lost power shortly after departure for dual. Struck tree stump landing. Water found 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. --- 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.