# NTSB CEN25LA101: Cessna 177A, N30413, Farlinville, KS, February 20, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 20, 2025, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Farlinville, KS - Coordinates: 38.253473, -94.79003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2535&lon=-94.7900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 199749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA101 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power that resulted from fuel contamination when it was treated with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (antiseptic) that contained water. Contributing to the accident were vague fuel treatment instructions provided by the operator. ## 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 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Documentation/record keeping: operation records](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033010): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · Operator (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033010/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073706), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Standing: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was descending the airplane to begin patrolling a section of pipeline when, without warning, the engine began to surge between low and high power. He diverted towards the nearest airport and began troubleshooting the issue. When it became apparent that he could not maintain altitude and would not make the diversion airport, he performed an off-airport landing in a field. During the landing the airplane struck a 3- to 4-foot-tall berm, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and fuselage. During the post-accident investigation, a significant amount of water was found in the inline strainer to the engine. Follow-up interviews with the fixed base operator and pilot revealed that the pilot treated the airplane’s fuel with a 70% isopropyl alcohol (antiseptic) solution before the accident flight. The pilot was unaware that the antiseptic also contained purified water. It is likely that the airplane’s fuel became contaminated with water from the antiseptic which resulted in the loss of engine power. Review of company documentation revealed vague instructions for treating the fuel with isopropyl alcohol. For example, the instructions stated to use one bottle per 25 gallons of fuel, but did not specify the size/volume of the bottle. Specific guidance for the accident airplane was found in the manufacturer’s service information letter. The letter stated it is permissible to use any high quality isopropyl alcohol, for example one meeting Federal Specification TT-I-735a. The letter stated the isopropyl alcohol may be blended with the fuel in a concentration not greater than 1% by volume. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30413](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30413), registered now, S/N 17701240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A - Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701240 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 4964.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Eagle Sky Patrol Inc - Registered owner: Eagle Sky Patrol Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: KXNA, Bentonville, AR - Destination: KIXD, Olathe, KS - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,040 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 2,922 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 5 °F, dew point -8 °F - Altimeter: 30.73 inHg - Observed at: KFSK, 27 nm away - METAR: KFSK 201715Z AUTO 02003KT 10SM CLR M15/M22 A3073 RMK AO2 T11451219 ## 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 20250220003559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250220003559A), Feb 20, 2025: Cessna 177A, Farlinville, KS, Substantial damage. On 2/20/2025 at approximately 12:09 pm a 1968 Cessna 177A experienced a loss of power and made an emergency landing into a pond, 5 miles north of pleasanton… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199749. 10.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18594848&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MS%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18517651&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20PHOTOS%20-%20Photo%20Summary-Rel.pdf - FAA on site airplane exam summary (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18517034&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20FAA%20-%20On%20Site%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18518158&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20MOR%20-%20Tim%20Thompson,%20RJC_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - eagle sky documents (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18517752&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20MOR%20-%20Company%20SOPs_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - manufacturer's guidance (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18518168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20MOR%20-%20Manufacturer%27s%20Guidance%20Isopropyl%20Alcohol-Rel.pdf - Cessna service information letter SE79-30 (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18517044&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20ACFT%20-%20Cessna%20SE79-30-Rel.pdf - Lycoming service instruction no_1070AB (item 8, PDF, 9 pages, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18532494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20ACFT%20-%20Lycoming%20Svc%20Instr%201070AB-Rel.pdf - Astm D910-17A standard specification for leaded aviation gasoline (item 9, PDF, 6 pages, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18532319&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA101%20-%20ACFT%20-%20ASTM-D910-17a-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.