# NTSB DEN08LA121: Cessna 337G, N53661, Point Lookout, MO, July 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 2008, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Point Lookout, MO - Coordinates: 36.625831, -93.237503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6258&lon=-93.2375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Kansas City - NTSB case key (mKey): 68421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA121 ## Probable cause A fuel flange seal leak and water in the fuel resulting in a loss of engine power during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2075730), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=2075730), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2075730), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=2075730), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 337G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2075730), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 337G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075730), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Heavy rains and thunderstorms were present over the airport the three days prior to the accident. The pilot identified water in the left fuel tank during preflight and sumped the tank until he no longer saw any water. During the takeoff, as the main wheels were lifting off, the forward engine quit. Unable to climb, the pilot aborted the takeoff and shutdown both engines, but was unable to stop the airplane before the airplane went off the end of the runway and down a steep, rocky embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing spar was bent up and both wings rear attach points were broken. Water was found in the left fuel tank and forward engine fuel system. A broken seal was found around the recessed fuel fill port adapter plate and filler flange. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 6, 2008, about 1115 Central Daylight Time (CDT), a Cessna 337G twin-engine airplane, N53661 impacted terrain after losing power on one engine while taking off. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cross-country flight was originating from the Taney County Airport (PLK), Point Lookout, Missouri at the time of the accident and was destined for Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ), Chicago, Illinois. The pilot stated there had been several days of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms prior to the accident and he had subsequently spent a significant amount of time sumping water from the left wing tank. His preflight engine run-up and magneto check were normal. The front engine quit during takeoff just as the main landing gear were lifting off. The pilot lowered the nose and aborted the takeoff. He ensured both engines were shutdown and applied maximum braking to stop the airplane. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before the end of the runway and the plane went over a steep, rocky embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing spar bent upwards, both wing rear attach fittings broken, one tail-boom was bent, and the landing gear and undercarriage were damaged. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multi-engine land airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical was issued on December 01, 2006, with no limitations. The pilot completed NTSB form 6120.1 indicated total flight time of 1,417 hours; of which 1,166 hours were in this make and model of airplane. He logged 5 hours in the last 90 days and 4 in the last 30 days. His last noted flight review was completed November 20, 2006. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 1976-model Cessna 337G, serial number 33701763, was a high wing, semi-monocoque airplane, with a retractable tri-cycle landing gear, and was configured for six occupants. The airplane was powered by two horizontally opposed, fuel injected, six-cylinder engines. The engines were Continental IO-360, rated at 210 horsepower and driving constant speed propellers. According to the airframe logbook, the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on July 6, 2007, with an airframe total time of 1,431.5 hours. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated approximately 1448 hours and 16.5 hours since the last inspection. The engine logbook revealed that the engine had been inspected in accordance with an annual inspection on July 6, 2007. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 11:53 central daylight time, the weather observation facility at Harrison, Arkansas (HRO) reported, wind variable at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 9,000 feet, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.99 inches of Mercury. AERODROME INFORMATION Taney County Airport was an uncontrolled airport operating under class E classification airspace. The field elevation was 938 feet mean sea level (msl). Runway 29 was a 3739-foot-long by 100-foot-wide grooved asphalt runway. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION On site documentation of the wreckage was conducted by investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airplane was located on a steep, rocky hillside approximately 100 feet west of the departure end of runway 29. The airplane was intact and all major components of the airplane were accounted for at the site. Inspection of the airplane revealed water in the left fuel tank and the forward engine fuel system, including the forward engine gascolator/strainer and the forward engine fuel distribution valve. The right wing tank was compromised during recovery and the fuel was lost. There was no water found in the rear engine gascolator/strainer or rear engine fuel distribution valve. The fuel fill ports and caps are recessed below the surface of the upper wing. When water was placed in the recessed area of the left wing fuel fill port water was observed leaking into the left fuel tank through the adapter plate and filler flange seal. The engine demonstrated good compression at each cylinder and electrical current to each spark plug. Both magnetos produced spark when turned by hand. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot and front seat passenger received minor facial injuries during the accident sequence. The injuries included bruising, cuts with stitches and a broken nose to the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53661](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53661-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 33701763, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 337G - Registry model: [Cessna 337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337g) (registry code 2075730) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33701763 - Airframe hours: 1448 - Engines: Continental IO360G 210 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO360G 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Grande Pre - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007 - Departed: Point Lookout, MO - Destination: IGQ, Lansing Mun Apt, IL - Airport: PLK, M Graham Clark, runway 29, 3,739 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,417 total, 1,166 in this make and model, 1,347 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg ## 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 20080706840999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080706840999A), Jul 6, 2008: Cessna 337G, Point Lookout, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft had been parked outside in rainy weather for three days prior to the flight. The pilot stated that as part of his preflight inspection he… 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.