CHI03LA058

While in cruise flight the engine experienced a loss of power and the pilot performed a forced landing on a golf course. During the forced landing the nose gear was bent aft, damaging the firewall. Post accident investigation revealed the fuel was contaminated with water and particulate.

On January 19, 2003, at 1342 central standard time, a Cessna 175, N6663E, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Grand Island, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI), Grand Island, Nebraska, at 1335 and was en route to Eppley Airfield (OMA), Omaha, Nebraska.

According to the pilot's written statement, he departed GRI and climbed to approximately 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl). About eight miles east of GRI the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot reported he, "applied carb heat, checked fuel selector, tried [right and left] magneto, pumped primer, all with no effect." The pilot stated he performed a forced landing on a golf course, during which the nose gear was bent aft damaging the firewall.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration completed an on-scene investigation. The inspector reported fuel samples were taken from the carburetor bowl and both wing tank sumps. The fuel sample taken from the carburetor bowl was void of any color. The fuel samples taken from both wing tanks were a gray color and contaminated with particulate.