# NTSB BFO93LA126: Cessna 172D, N2494U, New Milford, PA, July 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1993, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: New Milford, PA
- Coordinates: 41.869075, -75.720466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8691&lon=-75.7205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA126

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE ENGINE POWER DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MICE, WHICH PARTIALLY BLOCKED FUEL AND AIR FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON MOUNTAINOUS WOODED TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE 'CLIPPED' TREES AND IMPACTED THE GROUND, THEN IT SLID ABOUT 30 FT AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. AN EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO AIRFRAME ANOMALIES.  THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR, CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL AND ACCELERATOR PUMP HOUSING; SOURCE OF THE WATER CONTAMINATION WAS NOT DETERMINED. MICE WERE FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX AND VENTURI AREA. ONE MOUSE WAS LODGED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE. RECEIPTS SHOWED THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED ABOUT 17 GALLONS OF FUEL ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. SINCE THEN, THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 1 HR. THE PILOT SAID THAT BEFORE EACH FLIGHT, HE DRAINED EACH FUEL DRAIN. HE SAID WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SAMPLES, BUT HE CONTINUED TO DRAIN THE FUEL UNTIL NO MORE WATER WAS DETECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2494U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2494U-1999-11-22), registration cancelled 1999-11-22, S/N 17250094 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50094
- Airframe hours: 2394
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wayne R. Adams
- Registered owner: Wayne R. Adams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1993, 9 hours before
- Departed: PS50, KINGSLEY, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 212 total, 206 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGM, 90 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 19930717024289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930717024289A), Jul 17, 1993: Cessna 172D, New Milford, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Struck trees on forced landing. Water in fuel system. Dead mouse and debris in intake.

## Other investigations on N2494U (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA68D0156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0156), Aug 21, 1967: Cessna 172 (N2494U), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage

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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