# NTSB ERA12LA009: Cessna 150L, N11280, Punta Gorda, FL, October 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 2011, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.918888, -81.990837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9189&lon=-81.9908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA009 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system that was not detected because of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. ## 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 150L, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071826), [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. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2071826), [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 150L, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power on final approach, and he made a forced landing off airport property; the airplane collided with the airport perimeter fence. Examination of the fuel system revealed that it was contaminated with water and rust. Although the pilot stated that he had completed a preflight inspection and found water in the fuel, he likely did not adequately sump the fuel system to remove the contamination. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 2011, at 1055 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N11280, experienced a partial loss of engine power while approaching to land and collided with the airport perimeter fence at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), Punta Gorda, Florida. The airplane sustained structural damage to the airframe and wings. The airplane was registered to a private owner and operating as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport (GIF), Winter Haven, Florida, at 1000. According to the pilot, he departed GIF on cross country flight to PGD. Upon arrival he entered a downwind for runway 09. While turning on final approach the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power. The airplane landed short of the runway and on landing roll collided with airport perimeter fence. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the left and right main fuel caps did not match and the fuel cap seals were deteriorated. The fuel tanks were sumped; and a half jar of rust and water was recovered from the left tank. The pilot stated in the interview with the inspector that he found water in the fuel during his preflight. A cursory examination was performed on the engine and an engine run-up was conducted. The engine ran successfully but could only be advanced to 1,500 rpm due to a bent propeller as result of the accident. No other anomalies were noted with the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11280](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11280-2011-11-15), registration cancelled 2011-11-15, S/N 15075294, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15075294 - Airframe hours: 1697 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Johnson William H - Registered owner: Johnson William H - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2010, 13 hours before - Departed: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL - Airport: PGD, Punta Gorda Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 922 total, 850 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: PGD ## 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 20111005024099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111005024099A), Oct 5, 2011: Cessna 150L, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. On September 10,2011 at approximately 10:43 am EST a registered aircraft N11280 a Cessna CE-150 serial number 15075648 piloted by [privacy data omitted] failed… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82001. 2.9 MB in all. - Record of Conversation -Johnson -Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-Johnson%20-Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation-FAA inspector (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-FAA%20inspector-Master.PDF - FAA Inspectors statement (item 3, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359691&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspectors%20statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1-courtesy of FAA- Front view of airplane in fence (item 4, .PDF, 826 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-courtesy%20of%20FAA-%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20in%20fence-Master.PDF - Photo 2-courtesy of FAA-Leftside view of airplane collision with fence (item 5, .PDF, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-courtesy%20of%20FAA-Leftside%20view%20of%20airplane%20collision%20with%20fence-Master.PDF - Photo 3-courtesy of FAA- Rear view leftside buckled left wing (item 6, .PDF, 433 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-courtesy%20of%20FAA-%20Rear%20view%20leftside%20buckled%20left%20wing-Master.PDF - Photo 4-courtesy of FAA-Right wing leading edge damage (item 7, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-courtesy%20of%20FAA-Right%20wing%20leading%20edge%20damage-Master.PDF - Photo 5-courtesy of FAA-View of left wing leading edge damage (item 8, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-courtesy%20of%20FAA-View%20of%20left%20wing%20leading%20edge%20damage-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.