# NTSB CHI91FA022: Cessna 195, N4325N, Flint, MI, October 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1990, 09:17 local (14:17 UTC)
- Place: Flint, MI
- Coordinates: 43.069469, -83.690597 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0695&lon=-83.6906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA022

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM. FACTOR(S) WERE: WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - pole
  - object - building(nonresidential)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED FOR A CROSS COUNTRY PLEASURE FLIGHT WHEN, DURING ITS INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS BETWEEN 100 AND 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AS IT PASSED BY THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE WITNESSES THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN, PITCH DOWN, LEVEL OFF AND THEN 'DROP INTO THE POWERLINES' ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE WITNESSES. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES LOCATED IN A RAILROAD SWITCHING YARD. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED IN CONTACT WITH THESE LINES AS IT COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE POLE AND SMALL BUILDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4325N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4325N-1991-08-16), registration cancelled 1991-08-16, S/N 7084 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195
- Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7084
- Engines: JACOBS R755-A2 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ray L. Peters
- Registered owner: Ray L Peters
- Destination: SJX, ST. JAMES, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,672 total, 1,402 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FNT, 1 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 19901031047649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901031047649A), Oct 31, 1990: Cessna 195, Flint, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine lost power on climbout. Hit wires,pole and shanty. Water in mogas fuel. No STC. Auto gas stored in drum.

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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