# NTSB ERA11LA139: Cessna 182P, N25HD, Lincoln Park, NJ, February 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 10, 2011, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Lincoln Park, NJ - Coordinates: 40.947498, -74.314445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9475&lon=-74.3144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 23, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Continental Motors, Inc., FAA/FSDO, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 78328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78328/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78328 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection (removal of water contamination from the fuel system), which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2075816), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2075816), [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 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was descending on the downwind leg of the landing pattern. As the pilot adjusted power to arrest the descent, the engine did not respond. The engine produced two short bursts of power when the pilot used the fuel primer; however, the engine would not continue running. The pilot noted that he was not going to reach the runway as he turned into the final leg of the landing pattern and elected to impact a tree to avoid hitting a building. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane or its systems. The engine started, accelerated, and produced rated horsepower when tested. The postaccident examination found ice and evidence of water in the gascolator fuel bowl shortly after the accident. A recovered engine digital monitor recorded the accident flight and captured the last 25 seconds. The monitor indicated that the fuel flow dropped to zero and the exhaust gas temperature on all cylinders dropped sharply, consistent with ignition stopping abruptly, likely due to the introduction of water into the fuel system. The engine compartment was heated before the flight, the temperature was minus 5 degrees Celsius at the time of the preflight, and no water was noted when the gascolator was drained before the flight. The accident flight was flown on the left wing fuel tank. The pilot stated that, during the preflight, he had difficulty sumping the left wing fuel tank and noted a few drops of water when the sump valve did function; he did not resump the tank. An Airworthiness Directive (AD) that was established to prevent power loss or engine stoppage due to water contamination had been performed on the airplane. The AD stated that, after rocking the wings, the pilot should "Drain and catch the contents of the fuel gascolator, wing, and (if equipped) reservoir tank sumps and check for water contamination. If water is found...repeat...until no additional water is detected, or drain the entire airplane fuel system." About a week before the accident flight, the airplane was washed inside a hangar and afterward moved to the ramp; it had not been flown since the wash. ## Factual narrative On February 10, 2011, at 1140 eastern standard time, a Cessna, 182P, N25HD, owned and operated by an individual, impacted a tree during a force landing near the Lincoln Park Airport (N07), Lincoln Park, New Jersey. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from the Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU), Morristown, New Jersey, earlier that day, about 1115. The pilot stated that he arrived at MMU about 0945 and started the preflight inspection. He started with preheating the engine compartment. He noted a total of 38.8 gallons of fuel in the tanks as indicated on the engine digital monitor, (a JPI, EDM-750); which agreed with the airplane’s fuel gauges. He visually checked the fuel levels in the tanks; confirming the JPI and the fuel gauges. Before sumping the fuel tanks he gently rocked the wings to dislodge any contamination that may be present. The left wing fuel tank’s sump valve seemed stiff and was not easy to sump. The right wing was unremarkable. Sixteen ounces of clear blue 100 low lead aviation fuel with no contaminants was drained from the gascolator. He sump the left wing again and observed 16 ounces of blue 100 low lead aviation fuel with 2 to 3 drops of water. He completed the preflight and removed the heater. The start up, taxi, and ground run up went unremarkable. After takeoff, the climb was continued to 1,000 feet at full throttle and power was then adjusted to 23 inches of manifold pressure with 2300 rpm thereafter; leveling the airplane at 1,800 feet. During the cruise to N07, he monitored the carburetor heat gauge and adjusted as required. Nearing N07, he started to descend to pattern altitude of 1,200 feet, and entered the downwind for runway 01, on a 45 degrees entry. On the downwind he throttled back and adjusted the descent to an airspeed of 90 mph, lowering the flaps to 10 degrees. He throttled back more to maintain the descent and applied full carburetor heat. Once abeam from the runway, he attempted to add power to slow the descent and noted no response from the engine. He pumped the throttle twice with no response and immediately established a best glide of 80 mph; pumping the throttle and ensuring the carburetor heat was on (pulled out). He retracted the flaps and moved the fuel selector to the right wing fuel tank. He started the base leg and continued toward the runway. He pulled the engine fuel primer out and gave it a pump, the engine momentary went to full power and died. He turned toward the runway, and pumped the primer one more time. The engine went to full power and turned off; he tried it a third time, to no avail. He realized the airplane was not going to reach the runway and elected to turn east toward a tree line. He flew the airplane into a tree to avoid hitting abuilding. The closest official weather observation was at Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey, about 4 miles south of the accident site. The CDW 1053 METAR, was winds 320 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 9 statute miles; clear skies; temperature minus 5 degrees Celsius (C); dew point minus 16 degrees C; altimeter 29.85 inches of mercury. The pilot, seated in the left seat, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, sea, and instrument airplane. He was issued a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate on April 17, 2009, with limitations, and reported he had a total of 1,177 hours at the time of the accident. The Cessna 182 P, a four place all metal, high wing, single-engine airplane, variable-pitch propeller, with fix landing gear, serial number 18261595, was manufactured in 1972, and issued a standard airworthiness certificate, in the normal category. The airplane was powered by a Continental O-470-R, 230-horsepower engine, with a Hartzell three bladed propeller. The airplane was equipped with a fuel bladder tank system in each wing. The last engine inspection was performed on January 19, 2011, at which the engine had a total of 1,076 hours since major overhauled. The airplane’s last inspection was January 19, 2011 and the airplane had a total of 2, 249.1 hours at that time. The airplane was on an annual / 100 hours maintenance schedule. According to the responding FAA inspector the airplane impacted a tree, about a 1/4 mile short of the approach end of runway 01at N07 adjacent to a parking lot. Damage to the airplane was consistent with the airplane in a nose below the horizon and right wing low attitude at time of impact. The top wing section across the fuselage separated exposing the cabin area. Forward and aft windshields were shattered. The left wing remained wrapped around the tree. The right wing’s outboard leading edge was crushed. The fuselage came to rest on its right side. The empennage came to rest over the right wing bent down (toward the right). The engine and cowlings separated from the firewall. The propeller remained attached to the engine. Two of the three blades were bent aft and all three blades were observed in a low pitch angle. A wreckage examination was conducted by the airplane manufacturer with FAA oversight. The fuel selector valve was observed in the right wing fuel tank position. No water was observed in the fuel that remained in the right tank and the left wing fuel tank was breached. Evidence of ice and water was observed in the gascolator fuel bowl shortly after the accident. The carburetor heat control was pulled to the “ON” position, and the primer was fully extended. The propeller blades did not display signature damage consistent with engine power at impact. The examination did not reveal any mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane and its systems. The engine and an engine monitoring systemunit, the JPI, were retained for further examination. An engine test run was performed at the engine’s manufacturer facility with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) oversight. The engine started without hesitation. Throughout the test phase, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling or interruption in power, and demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower. The data retrieved from the JPI unit at the NTSB recorders laboratory showed that the accident flight appears normal until about the last 25 seconds when the fuel flow dropped to zero along with the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) on all cylinders dropping sharply. There weren’t any discrepancies in any of the 6 cylinders during the recorded flight. At the last few seconds of data recording, the engine’s fuel flow starts up and the EGT also starts to rise; the data stopped at that moment. The data is recorded every 6 seconds and last data point was at 11:49:45 JPI time; which the time is settable by the operator. Airworthiness Directive (AD) 84-10-0, was performed to the airplane on June 1, 1985, at a total airframe time of 1,027 hours. The AD was established to prevent power loss or engine stoppage due to water contamination of the fuel system. The pilot stated that the airplane was washed inside a hanger about a week prior to the accident flight and did not fly since the wash. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25HD-2011-06-22), registration cancelled 2011-06-22, S/N 18261595, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18261595 - Airframe hours: 2249 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2011, 1 hours before - Departed: MMU, Morristown, NJ - Destination: Lincoln Park, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,177 total, 148 in this make and model, 1,105 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: CDW, 4 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 20110210003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110210003059A), Feb 10, 2011: Cessna 182P, Lincoln Park, NJ, Destroyed. On final approach to N07 runway 01 the engine quit and the aircraft landed off of the airport. Examination of the engine gasalator found a large amount of ice… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78328. 12.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 540 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation: Excerpts From Continental Motors, Inc. Report. (item 2, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20Continental%20Motors,%20Inc.%20Report.-Master.PDF - Engine Data Monitor - Factual Report of Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345038&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Correspondence on JPI Readout. (item 4, .PDF, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Correspondence%20on%20JPI%20Readout.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Radar Data From Accident Flight. Data Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 5, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Radar%20Data%20From%20Accident%20Flight.%20Data%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous:Cessna's Fuel Sumping Instructions (item 6, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3ACessna%27s%20Fuel%20Sumping%20Instructions-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Airplane's Documentation for AD 84-10-1. (item 7, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Airplane%27s%20Documentation%20for%20AD%2084-10-1.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Details of Airworthiness Directive (AD) 84-10-1. (item 8, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Details%20of%20Airworthiness%20Directive%20(AD)%2084-10-1.-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 9, .PDF, 790 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 10, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1) Left View of the Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 11, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20Left%20%20View%20of%20the%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 2) Rear View of the Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 12, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20Rear%20View%20of%20the%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 3) View of the Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 13, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203)%20View%20of%20the%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 4) View of the Fuel Gascolator With Ice and Water Around the Main Screen Area. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 14, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204)%20View%20of%20the%20Fuel%20Gascolator%20With%20Ice%20and%20Water%20Around%20the%20Main%20Screen%20Area.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-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.