# NTSB ATL98LA113: Cessna 305, N8WP, Lantana, FL, August 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1998, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Lantana, FL - Coordinates: 26.5795, -80.0708 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5795&lon=-80.0708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system that resulted in the loss of engine power due to water contamination. A factor was the rough terrain on the departure end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, climb - to cruise - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot completed an extensive preflight inspection of the airplane that included draining both fuel sumps; there was no sediment or water found in the fuel. After the preflight inspection, the pilot taxied the airplane to the run-up area adjacent to runway 15. The pilot reported that the 'pre-departure run-up' was normal, and that the power application for the takeoff was also normal. As the airplane climbed through 400 feet, the pilot recalled that the engine hesitated and lost power. As the pilot attempted to restore full engine power, by adjusting the throttle, the engine backfired. The pilot elected to attempt a forced landing on the remaining runway. The airplane touched on the runway, and rolled off the departure end of runway 15 into a grassy area. The pilot reported that the airplane nosed over as it stopped in the rough grassy area. During the subsequent examination of the airplane, both fuel tanks were drained of remaining fuel. During this phase of the recovery and examination, several ounces of water were also recovered from the left fuel tank. Examination of the airframe and sub-systems failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1998, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305, N8WP, collided with the ground, according to the pilot, while attempting a takeoff from runway 15 at the Palm Beach County Air Park, in Lantana, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of weather data disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that the airframe sustained substantial airframe damage. The commercial rated pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from Lantana, Florida. The pilot reported that he completed an extensive preflight inspection that included the draining of both fuel sumps. According to the pilot, there was no sediment or water found in the fuel samples. During the preflight inspection, the pilot visually confirmed that both fuel tanks had been topped off, as he had requested, by the Fixed Based Operator. After the preflight inspection, the pilot taxied the airplane to the run-up area adjacent to runway 15. The pilot reported that the "pre-departure run-up" was normal. During the power application for the takeoff, the pilot recalled that engine operation was normal. As the airplane climbed through 400 feet, the pilot recalled that the engine hesitated and lost power. As the pilot attempted to correct the hesitation by adjusting the throttle, the engine backfired. Still above the runway, the pilot attempted a forced landing on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down on the runway, and rolled off the departure end of the hard surface into a grassy area. The pilot reported that the airplane nosed over as it stopped in the rough grassy area. According to the Fixed Based Operator, the airplane was placed back on the main landing gear during the recovery process. During the subsequent examination of the airplane both fuel tanks were drained of remaining fuel. During this phase of the recovery and examination, several ounces of water were also recovered from the left fuel tank. Examination of the airframe and sub-systems failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The fuel selector position was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8WP), registered now, S/N 23521, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 305 - Registry model: [Cessna 305B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305b) (registry code 2074008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23521 - Airframe hours: 4145 - Engines: Continental O-470 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronald Krolick - Registered owner: U.S. Investair Inc,. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: LNA - Airport: LNA, Palm Beach County Airpark, runway 15, 3,485 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 75 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 10 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). - [Incident 19980815028049I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980815028049I), Aug 15, 1998: Cessna 305B, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. On 8-15-98, 11:45AM, N8WP, CE-305-B, bird dog was departing ruwnay 15 at plalm Beach county park(klna). The aircraft was about 300-400 feet in the air when the… 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.