# NTSB DFW06CA117: Cessna 182L, N42336, Covington, LA, May 2, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2006, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Covington, LA - Coordinates: 30.445, -89.9888888888889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4450&lon=-89.9889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company, Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc., Federal Administration Directory - NTSB case key (mKey): 63618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA117 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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 - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 2,000-hour private pilot of the single-engine airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. The pilot reported that about 400 feet above the ground (AGL), the engine "abruptly quit," and he attempted a left turn to attempt to return to the field; however, he impacted trees and then the ground before reaching the runway. The pilot also reported that he had topped-off the fuel tanks with 34 gallons of 100LL fuel at the airport 4 days earlier. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the carburetor bowl was half filled with what appeared to be rusty water. The gascolator was removed and examined. It did not contain any fluid; however, the inside of the bowl contained a large amount of corrosion. The wing fuel bladders tanks were empty, and no folds or obstructions were noted. The left fuel tank was breached, and no fuel cap was present. The vented right fuel cap was in good condition, with a pliable rubber gasket. No other evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was observed. The airport fuel provider reported to the FAA that fuel samples were tested on the day of the accident and found to be within specification with no contaminants. ## Factual narrative The 2,000-hour private pilot of the single-engine airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. The pilot reported that about 400 feet above the ground (AGL), the engine "abruptly quit," and he attempted a left turn to attempt to return to the field; however, he impacted trees and then the ground before reaching the runway. The pilot also reported that he had topped-off the fuel tanks with 34 gallons of 100LL fuel at the airport 4 days earlier. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the carburetor bowl was half filled with what appeared to be rusty water. The gascolator was removed and examined. It did not contain any fluid; however, the inside of the bowl contained a large amount of corrosion. The wing fuel bladders tanks were empty, and no folds or obstructions were noted. The left fuel tank was breached, and no fuel cap was present. The vented right fuel cap was in good condition, with a pliable rubber gasket. No other evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was observed. The airport fuel provider reported to the FAA that fuel samples were tested on the day of the accident and found to be within specification with no contaminants. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42336](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42336-2006-08-14), registration cancelled 2006-08-14, S/N 18258972, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182L - Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18258972 - Airframe hours: 4604 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Raymond Sainthill - Registered owner: Raymond Sainthill - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005, 17.7 hours before - Departed: L31, Covington, LA - Destination: 4A7, Hampton, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: L31, St. Tammany Regional Airport, runway 18, 2,999 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: ASD, 16 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 20060502006789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060502006789A), May 2, 2006: Cessna 182L, Abita Springs, LA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot made several attempts (6-7) to get the aircraft in the air. Witnesses say the aircraft was not making power, the pilot got the aircraft in the air… ## Other investigations on N42336 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC71DFJ07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DFJ07), Aug 17, 1970: Cessna 182 (N42336), Niagara Falls, NY, substantial damage 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.