# NTSB CEN21LA265: Cessna 180K, N13159, Columbus, OH, June 14, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 14, 2021, 08:52 local (12:52 UTC) - Place: Columbus, OH · A wooded, residential area. - Coordinates: 40.07951, -83.07321 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0795&lon=-83.0732&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 103260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103260/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103260 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA265 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from sealant contamination in the wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was in cruise flight at 1,000 ft above ground level when the engine sputtered. As the pilot executed a 180° turn toward the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot also reported that the radios lost power. The airplane impacted trees in a heavily wooded area short of the open field and sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage during the forced landing. The airplane had undergone numerous modifications, including a change from bladder fuel tanks to integral fuel tanks in the wings. Four days before the accident, a mechanic had drained the left wing of fuel and resealed it with a sealant. The wing was then refueled, and leak checked. Postaccident examination showed sealant contamination in the left fuel tank, varying in size up to 1 inch. The sealant was not adhering to the inside of the wing tank. Although the fuel screens were found unobstructed, due to the size and number of the sealant pieces fuel flow from the left tank could likely have been obstructed, resulting in a loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2021, at 0852 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N13159, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Columbus, Ohio. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that she took off uneventfully and executed a climbing right turn before leveling off at 1,000 ft above ground level. Shortly thereafter, the airplane’s engine sputtered briefly. The pilot contacted air traffic control and initiated a 180° turn toward the airport when the engine lost all power. Unable to make it to the airport, the pilot initiated a slight left turn towards an open field; she also noted that airplane’s radios lost power. The airplane struck trees in a heavily wooded area short of the open field before impacting terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The airplane and engine were examined. The airplane had been modified from a carbureted to a fuel injected engine and the wings had been changed from bladder fuel tanks to integral fuel tanks. Examination of the right wing showed that the fuel tank was intact, and no anomalies were noted inside of the tank. The fuel cap was not in place; however, no fuel staining was evident. Examination of the left wing identified fragments of off-white sealant found loose within the fuel tank, varying in size up to about 1 inch and consistent with Chem Seal 3204. The sealant appeared to have been applied to the vertical and lower skin structure of the fuel tank, exhibiting cracking and flaking. The middle and outboard wing drains had a grey color sealant observed over the off-white sealant. About 12 pieces of grey sealant were also observed loose in the fuel tank. The fuel cap was in place. The finger screens in both tanks were clear of debris. The fuel strainer was removed and contained fuel. No water was observed. Within the fuel strainer screen a minor dark substance was observed, but the screen was otherwise clear. Air was blown through the fuel lines at both wing roots and fuel was expelled through the fuel strainer. The fuel selector valve was manipulated and functioned normally. Examination of the engine showed no visual signs of catastrophic failure. Further examination of the engine’s fuel components identified a minor blockage in the No. 2 nozzle and a white powder on the surface of the fuel distributor spring on its larger side. The fuel control unit was removed and displayed minor leaking at the fuel metering unit. The electrical system was not tested. Review of the airplane’s maintenance logbooks showed that on June 10, 2021, four days before the accident, the airplane’s left fuel tank was drained and resealed with Chem Seal CS3204B2. The entry noted that tank was refilled with 100LL and leak checked. The mechanic was not interviewed. According to Chem Seal documentation, the surface area for Chem Seal application must be free of contaminants andthe sealant has a specific mixing and cure schedule. The NTSB Materials Laboratory examined the residue from a fuel distribution spring as well as sealant fragments. When examined by a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer, the residue from the spring was not consistent with the sample of the sealant. The analysis was not able to identify the residue and its source could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13159](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13159-2024-04-10), registration cancelled 2024-04-10, S/N 18053166, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053166 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 25125 - Engines: Continental IO-520 SERIES 285 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 2021, 14 hours before - Destination: 3X5, North Bass Island, OH - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: unknown; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,772 total, 557 in this make and model, 3,677 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KOSU, 2 nm away - METAR: KOSU 141253Z 25007KT 10SM FEW100 25/14 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP115 T02500144 ## 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 20210614022349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210614022349A), Jun 14, 2021: Cessna 180K, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. > 6/14/2021 - Aircraft departed osu airport and engine reportedly stopped running approximatley 5 minutes into flight. > 6/16/2021 - Aircraft recovered and… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103260. 29.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12412784&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20printed%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - On scene photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12934881&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination observations (item 3, PDF, 18 pages, 8.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12931624&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20notes-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12932710&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=party%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance log entries (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12933719&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20mx%20log%20entires%20for%20docket_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Materials laboratory report 22-057 (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 3 photos, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14687483&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=22-057%20Factual-Rel.pdf - Textron report (item 7, PDF, 9 pages, 5 photos, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16061863&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tech%20Report%2018053166_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Chem seal 3204 (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16062183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CS3204-rev-09-13-Rel.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.