# NTSB BFO93FA018: Cessna 182P, N52785, Stow, MA, January 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1993, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Stow, MA
- Location: 42.4370° N, 71.5056° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stow, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4370&lon=-71.5056&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA018

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH ALLOWED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER; AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## 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
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST REFUELED AT MINUTE MAN AIRPORT IN NOVEMBER.  ACCORDING TO AIRCRAFT RECORDS, THE AIRPLANE WAS INACTIVE FOR TWO MONTHS.  THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE PREFLIGHT; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS VIEWED BY TWO OTHER PILOTS TO DEPART FROM RUNWAY 3.  AT ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE SOUNDS WERE INTERMITTENT.  THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING THE CLIMB, BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE AIRCRAFT EXHAUST.  A SECOND WITNESS, WHO SAW THE CRASH, STATED THAT THE PILOT TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, BUT THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL POSITION.  INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE FUEL CONTENTS OF THE FUEL CONTROL VALVE WAS WATER.  BOTH FUEL CAPS WERE SECURED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE TANKS, AND WHEN SPRAYED WITH WATER, NO LEAKAGE PAST THE CAPS INTO THE TANKS WAS NOTED.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52785-1993-07-27), registration cancelled 1993-07-27, S/N 18262843 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262843
- Airframe hours: 2287
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A Clinton
- Registered owner: John A Clinton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: 6B6
- Destination: 6B6
- Airport: 6B6, Minute Man Airfield, runway 3, 2,743 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 725 total, 627 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BED, 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 19930110000239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930110000239A), Jan 10, 1993: Cessna 182P, Stow, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine lost power on climbout. Stalled trying to return. Water in fuel. Idle past 2 months. Failed proper sumping.

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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