# NTSB BFO92LA121: Cessna 172H, N2458L, New Braintree, MA, September 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1992, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: New Braintree, MA
- Location: 42.3168° N, 72.1259° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Braintree, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3168&lon=-72.1259&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA121

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## 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 - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE AIRPLANE LOST POWER INFLIGHT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND IT WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD.  THE NEXT DAY, A DIFFERENT PILOT REFUELED THE AIRPLANE WITH SIX GALLONS OF FUEL IN EACH TANK.  THE PILOT STATED HE CHECKED THE FUEL AT THE THREE DRAIN LOCATIONS.  HE TOWED THE AIRPLANE UP A HILL, AND ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF.  SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE PILOT DID A FORCE LANDING.  THE LANDING WAS ON SOFT TERRAIN AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE DOWN.  THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.  THE EXAMINATION ALSO DISCLOSED THE FUEL STRAINER WAS INOPERATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2458L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2458L), registered now, S/N 17255658, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Fedoryk Ronald
- Registered owner: Fedoryk Ronald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 8B5, BARRE, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 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 19920902047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920902047009A), Sep 2, 1992: Cessna 172H, Windsor Locks, CT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Landed in field. Put in more fuel. Engine quit on takeoff. Dirt in fuel. Quick drain inoperative.

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.