# NTSB CEN17LA241: Cessna 172, N6474B, Fulton, MO, June 24, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2017, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fulton, MO
- Coordinates: 38.838054, -92.002502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8381&lon=-92.0025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Continental Motors, Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95432/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95432
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA241

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system.

## 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 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot and two passengers were conducting a local sightseeing flight when the engine "sputtered ever so slightly" and then regained power. Three to 5 seconds later, engine power dropped to about 700 rpm. The pilot checked the engine controls in an attempt to regain engine power; when power was not restored, he initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane landed about 3/4 down the length of a field and impacted adjacent trees. During an initial examination, about 1 ounce of water was found in the gascolator. Continuity was established from the cockpit engine controls to the respective engine components. Fuel was found in the carburetor bowl and in the wing fuel tanks. A follow-up engine examination and functional test run did not produce any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation and production of rated horsepower. It is likely the water contamination found in the gascolator resulted in the partial loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 2017, about 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N6474B, impacted trees during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Fulton, Missouri. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured, and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed the Elton Hensley Memorial Airport, Fulton, Missouri, about 0915. According to the pilot, prior to the local sightseeing flight, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane. He noted "little to no water" when he sumped the left wing fuel tank, and stated he sumped the right wing fuel tank. The left wing fuel tank contained about 9 gallons of fuel, and the right wing fuel tank contained about 7 to 8 gallons of fuel. While maneuvering during a local sightseeing flight, the engine "sputtered ever so slightly" and then regained power. About 3 to 5 seconds later, the engine dropped to about 700 RPM. The pilot checked the engine controls in an attempt to regain power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane landed about 3/4 down the available length of a field and impacted adjacent trees. During an initial examination at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the inspector found about 1 ounce of water in the gascolator. Continuity was established from the cockpit engine controls to the respective engine components. Fuel was found in the carburetor bowl and in the wing fuel tanks. On July 26, 2017, at the recovery facility, the engine was examined by FAA inspectors and a representative of Continental Motors. The engine was visually examined and no anomalies were noted. An external supply of aviation fuel was plumbed into the gascolator on the firewall of the airframe. Due to two broken rear engine mounts, a ratchet strap was used to secure the engine to the airframe engine mount. The engine started normally on the second attempt and allowed to warm up. The throttle was advanced to 1,000 RPMs and a magneto check was performed. Each magneto produced a drop of 50-75 engine RPMs. The engine was advanced to 2,300 RPM, and then back to 1,000 RPM for a second magneto check. The magneto check results were the same as the first magneto check. The throttle was reduced to idle, and the engine was shutdown using the mixture control. According to Continental Motors, the engine examination and functional test run did not produce any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation and production of horsepower. The airplane was configured to seat and restrain a total of 4 occupants.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6474B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6474B-2018-07-09), registration cancelled 2018-07-09, S/N 29674 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29674
- Airframe hours: 2666
- Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2017, 40 hours before
- Departed: FTT, Fulton, MO
- Destination: FTT, Fulton, MO
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 283 total, 46 in this make and model, 232 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: COU, 10 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 20170624009579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170624009579A), Jun 24, 2017: Cessna 172, Fulton, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed kftt for a local flight. During return to the airport, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing into a pasture approximately…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95432. 10.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- CMI Engine Test Run Report (item 4, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Engine%20Test%20Run%20Report-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 463 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.

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