# NTSB CEN13LA354: Cessna 152, N49108, Carrizo Springs, TX, June 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2013, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Carrizo Springs, TX - Coordinates: 28.522222, -99.823608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5222&lon=-99.8236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA354 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87227/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87227 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA354 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to identify the water contamination of the fuel system during his preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during the airplane’s initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after an initial preflight of the airplane, he had the fuel tanks topped off with aviation fuel. He then completed another preflight inspection that included straining the fuel and rechecking the engine oil. The pilot stated that there were no anomalies with engine operation during his before-takeoff engine run-up or during takeoff; however, during the initial climb, when the airplane was about 300 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power as he maneuvered the airplane to a nearby dirt road for an off-airport landing. The airplane impacted terrain after the right wing collided with tree branches during the forced landing. A postaccident examination revealed a significant amount of water contamination in the airplane’s fuel system. The airport’s fuel service truck was checked for water contamination; however, no water contamination was present in samples obtained after the accident. A review of available rainfall data indicated that 5 to 7 inches of rain had fallen since the airplane had last been flown. The loss of engine power was likely due to water contamination of the fuel system. The amount of water contamination that was detected in the fuel system after the accident should have been identified by the pilot during a normal preflight inspection. The engine examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2013, at 1440 central daylight time, a Cessna model 152 airplane, N49108, was substantially damaged during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Dimmit County Airport (KCZT), Carrizo Springs, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Alpha Tango Flying Service, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight that was en route to San Antonio International Airport (KSAT), San Antonio, Texas. The pilot reported that the purpose of the accident flight was to reposition the airplane from KCZT to KSAT. After completing a preflight inspection, he had the airplane fueled with 21 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel by the airport’s fixed-base operator fuel truck. After being refueled, the pilot completed another preflight inspection that included straining the fuel and rechecking the engine oil. The engine started without hesitation and after a few minutes the pilot taxied the airplane to runway 13 (5,003 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with engine operation during his before takeoff engine run-up or during takeoff; however, during initial climb, about 300 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power as he maneuvered the airplane toward a nearby dirt road for an off-airport landing. The airplane impacted terrain after the right wing collided with tree branches during the forced landing. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s fuel system was completed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector with the assistance of several aviation mechanics. The fuel selector was found in the OFF position; however, the pilot had indicated that he turned the fuel selector OFF during the forced landing. Several fuel samples were collected by draining fuel through the gascolator outflow line. A visual inspection of these fuel samples revealed a significant amount of water contamination. The airport’s fuel service truck was checked for water contamination; however, no water contamination was present in samples obtained after the accident. The FAA inspector reported that his engine examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The nearest aviation weather reporting station was located at Cotulla-La Salle County Airport (KCOT), Cotulla, Texas, about 37 miles east of the accident site. At 1453, the KCOT automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 170 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 36 degrees Celsius, dew point 22 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 29.91 inches of mercury. A review of available rainfall data, obtained from several weather stations located near KCZT, indicated that 5-7 inches of rain had fallen sinceMay 20, 2013, the last time the accident airplane had flown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49108](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49108-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 15283421, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15283421 - Airframe hours: 13161 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Alpha Tango Flying Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Alpha Tango Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2012 - Departed: KCZT, Carrizo Springs, TX - Destination: KSAT, San Antonio, TX - Airport: KCZT, Dimmit County Airport, runway 13, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 1,184 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,090 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KCOT, 32 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 20130617010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130617010929A), Jun 17, 2013: Cessna 152, Carrizo Springs, TX, Substantial damage. During climb out after take off, at about 300 feet above the runway, the engine lost power. Aircraft was substantially damaged by trees during landing. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N49108 (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 DFW07CA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA099), Apr 28, 2007: Cessna 152 (N49108), San Antonio, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The single-engine pilot's failure to avoid the jet blast while taxiing and the ground controller's inattentiveness to the situation, which resulted in the airplane's being blown over. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87227. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 662 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (FAA Inspector David Benningfield) (item 4, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector%20David%20Benningfield)-Master.PDF - NTSB Meteorological Rain Data Summary (item 5, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Meteorological%20Rain%20Data%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Weather Information (item 6, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - FAA Photo of Fuel Sample (item 7, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo%20of%20Fuel%20Sample-Master.PDF 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.