# NTSB BFO93LA044: Cessna 182J, N3035F, Putnam, CT, March 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1993, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Putnam, CT
- Location: 41.9168° N, 71.9107° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Putnam, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9168&lon=-71.9107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 84-10-01 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/84-10-01-R1), [AD 83-13-01](https://openairdocs.org/ad/83-13-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA044

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE AIR WORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, LEAKY FUEL CAP SEAL, WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND WRINKLES IN THE FUEL TANK BLADDERS THAT INTERFERED WITH THE ABILITY TO DRAIN WATER FROM THE TANKS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water
  - fuel system,tank - distorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRPLANE CLIPPED SOME TREES, TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD, AND SLID UNTIL IT IMPACTED A ROW OF TREES. AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED ABOUT ONE QUART OF WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECKS REVEALED CORROSION. THE RIGHT TANK FUEL FILLER NECK ALSO HAD PITTING. WHEN TESTED, THE RIGHT FUEL CAP AND SEAL AREA ALLOWED LEAKAGE OF AN UNDETERMINABLE AMOUNT OF WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANK BLADDERS REVEALED WRINKLES. THE AIRPLANE'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS INDICATED THAT AD 84-10-01 AND AD 83-13-01, REGARDING INSPECTION OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND SEAL AREA AND THE FUEL TANKS, WERE NOT PERFORMED DURING THE LAST INSPECTION. THE AIRPLANE WAS KEPT OUTSIDE AND IT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. SNOW HAD FALLEN ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE PILOT SAID HE DID A THOROUGH PREFLIGHT, WHICH INCLUDED DRAINING THE FUEL TANKS AND CHECKING FOR CONTAMINATION, BUT NO CONTAMINATION WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3035F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3035F-1996-05-15), registration cancelled 1996-05-15, S/N 18257135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182J
- Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18257135
- Airframe hours: 2637
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Para Power Inc.
- Registered owner: Para Power Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: 01B
- Destination: 01B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,727 total, 1,761 in this make and model, 4,655 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDL, 34 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 19930307004479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930307004479A), Mar 7, 1993: Cessna 182J, South Woodstock, CT, Substantial damage. Engine quit on initial climbout with skydivers. Water in fuel. Inspection for tanks not done. Leaky fuel caps.

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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