# NTSB ERA11LA065: Cessna 172, N8306B, Hobe Sound, FL, November 16, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 16, 2010, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Hobe Sound, FL - Coordinates: 27.015832, -80.246109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0158&lon=-80.2461&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Lead agency: Other - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77827/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77827 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA065 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination in the carburetor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into the flight, the engine began to lose power. He was able to keep the engine running using the fuel primer knob; however he could not maintain the airplane's altitude. The pilot then performed a forced landing into an orange grove and the airplane nosed over in the soft terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. Two inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and engine. The carburetor was disassembled and a thick, black and brown, slime-like substance was found in the carburetor bowl, blocking the fuel channel and drain plug. The origin of the contamination was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 16, 2010, about 0940 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N8306B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power near Hobe Sound, Florida. The airplane was operated by a private individual. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight from Jupiter, Florida to Jacksonville, Florida (CRG). The flight originated at Tailwinds Airport (FD15) at 00915. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that about 20 minutes into the flight, the engine began to lose power. He informed air traffic control of the situation and requested a vector to the closest airport. He was able to keep the engine running by actuating the fuel primer knob, but the airplane would not maintain altitude. The pilot performed an emergency landing in an orange grove near Hobe Sound. The airplane touched down in soft terrain and nosed over. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the wings sustained substantial damage. During recovery of the wreckage, he confirmed positive fuel flow to the engine and the fuel tank vents were clear. All fuel screens were clear and the air intake was not obstructed. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls operated normally. The spark plugs were removed and the electrodes exhibited normal wear and color. The engine was turned by hand and internal continuity was confirmed. Compression was observed an all cylinders. The carburetor was removed and the accelerator pump operated normally when actuated by hand. Fuel was present in the carburetor bowl. Disassembly of the carburetor revealed the needle valve and seat were undamaged. A thick, slimy substance, black and brown in color, was found in the carburetor bowl drain plug and the substance was obstructing the fuel channel in the carburetor. The origin of the contamination was not determined. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the last annual inspection was performed on August 16, 2010. No discrepancies with the carburetor were noted. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated about 11 hours since the last annual inspection. Weather, recorded at 0953 at West Palm Beach, Florida (PBI), located about 25 miles southeast of the accident site, included winds from 200 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 3,500 feet, temperature 27 degrees C, dew point 17 degrees C, an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8306B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8306B), registered now, S/N 36106 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36106 - Airframe hours: 3485 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ramon C Fenner - Registered owner: Stephen C Fenner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 2010, 11 hours before - Departed: FD15, Jupiter, FL - Destination: CRG, Jacksonville, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 25 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 20101116051359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101116051359A), Nov 16, 2010: Cessna 172, Hobe Sound, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft N8306B with 1 person on board departed tail winds airport (FD15) enroute to craig municipal airport (kcrg). PIC had radio communications with west… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77827. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement and Correspondence (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20and%20Correspondence-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Carburetor Bowl with Contamination (item 3, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Carburetor%20Bowl%20with%20Contamination-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Maintenance Logbooks (item 4, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Logbooks-Redacted.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.