# NTSB ERA10LA189: Cessna 120, N72560, Annapolis, MD, March 25, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 2010, 15:33 local (19:33 UTC) - Place: Annapolis, MD - Coordinates: 38.938888, -76.567779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9389&lon=-76.5678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75584 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75584/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75584 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA189 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to ferry the airplane to a location where it would undergo an annual inspection. The airplane had not been flown for several months and during the preflight inspection the pilot drained the fuel bowl observing no water. Following the engine start, the pilot performed a normal engine run-up and magneto check. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot ditched the airplane in nearby river. After being submerged in the river for several days, the airplane was recovered and an examination was performed with no mechanical anomalies found. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 2010, about 1533 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 120, N72560, experienced a total loss of engine power during departure, and ditched in a river adjacent to Lee Airport (ANP), Annapolis, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was uninjured, and the airplane was substantially damaged by salt water. The flight was operated as a ferry flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating at ANP at the time of the accident, and was destined for Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland. The pilot stated that the airplane was out of annual inspection, and the purpose of the flight was to ferry it, with an obtained ferry permit, to W29 for that inspection. The airplane had not been flown for several months prior to the flight, and the pilot had obtained a ferry permit. The pilot also noted that during the preflight inspection, he drained the fuel bowl, and "observed good fuel flow and no water." Following the engine start, the pilot observed a "good" engine run-up with a "normal" magneto drop. The pilot further stated that during the departure from runway 30, about 300 to 400 feet, the engine started losing power. The pilot made a right crosswind turn over water to attempt a return to the runway, but the engine continued to lose power. The pilot then elected to ditch the airplane in the nearby river. A witness reported that he observed the pilot taxiing to the active runway. During the taxi, the engine "quit". He watched as the pilot restarted the engine, and "ran it up for a moment" before continuing to the runway. As the airplane took off, the engine "quit again" and the pilot made a forced landing in an adjacent river. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed that the airplane was submerged in the river for a few days. After the airplane was recovered, a cursory examination revealed that both wing fuel tanks had residual amounts of fuel and trace amounts of water. Examination of the fuel lines revealed no fuel line blockage or fuel. Valve train continuity was established on the engine, and there were no flight control anomalies noted. There were no records of the last time the airplane was refueled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72560](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72560), registered now, S/N 9730 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9730 - Airframe hours: 1400 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Drewyer Richard G - Registered owner: Drewyer Richard G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2009, 20 hours before - Departed: ANP, Annapolis, MD - Destination: W29, Stevensville, MD - Airport: ANP, Lee Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,870 total, 280 in this make and model, 3,870 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 19 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 14 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 20100325030469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100325030469A), Mar 25, 2010: Cessna 120, Annapolis, MD, Substantial damage. As stated by [privacy data omitted], PIC, he experienced engine power surge at 400 feet after takeoff from Lee Airport, runway 30. After pumping the throttle,… ## Other investigations on N72560 (2) 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 SEA71DVQ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DVQ23), Apr 25, 1971: Cessna 120 (N72560), Elkton, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA69D0119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69D0119), Aug 16, 1968: Cessna 120 (N72560), Waldport, OR, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75584. 508 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-record of conversation (item 3, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-record%20of%20conversation-Master.PDF 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.