# NTSB CHI89LA118: Cessna 172M, N13652, Indianapolis, IN, June 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Location: 39.7684° N, 86.1580° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Indianapolis, IN, within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7684&lon=-86.1580&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA118

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION FROM A DETERIORATING PART IN THE CARBURETOR.  THE TREES AND IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE PROBABLE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON HIS 1ST SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT. SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING ON THE 2ND LEG OF THE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. AS THE STUDENT WAS MANEUVERING TO LAND IN A FIELD, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK A TREETOP, THEN THE ACFT CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH DEBRIS FROM THE DETERIORATING CARBURETOR ACCELERATOR PUMP. A FUEL SAMPLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN ANALYSIS, WHICH REVEALED THE FUEL WAS A MIXTURE OF AVGAS & AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13652](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13652-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N 17262912, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262912
- Airframe hours: 6440
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Washington Aeronautics, Inc.
- Registered owner: Washington Aeronautics, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1988, 180 hours before
- Departed: 418, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: 142, PAOLI, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 19 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 19890622020799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890622020799A), Jun 22, 1989: Cessna 172M, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on level off from departure. Hit tree on landing. Fuel contaminated by dissolved fuel pump from auto gas

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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