# NTSB CHI94LA160: Cessna 175, N7678M, Plainfield, IL, May 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1994, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.610202, -88.19902 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6102&lon=-88.1990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA160

## Probable cause

fuel contamination (water), and inadequate aircraft preflight inspection.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DOING LOCAL PATTERN WORK PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS.  THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER SEVERAL LANDINGS.  THE PILOT MADE AN OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED-OVER DURING LANDING.  THE CARBURETOR BOWL WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN A MIXTURE OF FUEL AND WATER.  WATER WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.

## Factual narrative

On May 14, 1994, about 0615 central daylight time, a Cessna 175, N7678M, experienced a loss of engine power during takeoff at Clow International Airport, Plainfield, Illinois, and was substantially damaged when it nosed-over during the subsequent forced landing.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot stated he was practicing touch-and-go landings.  After several takeoffs and landings, he said the engine quit during climbout about 300 feet agl.  The engine was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector.  The carburetor bowl was found to contain a mixture of fuel and water.  Water was also found in the right fuel tank.  This flight was the first time the airplane had been flown since October 1993.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7678M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7678M-2009-09-08), registration cancelled 2009-09-08, S/N 55978, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55978
- Airframe hours: 2721
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-C 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clemens J. Pavilon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1993, 44 hours before
- Airport: 1C5, Clow International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 171 total, 87 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 17 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 19940514010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940514010919A), May 14, 1994: Cessna 175, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout touch and go. Nosed over landing. Water in fuel system.

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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