# NTSB ERA12LA397: Cessna 170, N3812V, Biddeford, ME, June 15, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 2012, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Biddeford, ME
- Coordinates: 43.420833, -70.505279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4208&lon=-70.5053&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Portland FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83985/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83985
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA397

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’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 170, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2072302), [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 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072302), [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 170, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot/owner and his instructor, the preflight inspection and the engine start, taxi, and takeoff checks were all completed in accordance with the checklists with no anomalies noted. The pilot/owner reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane seemed to “take forever” to reach takeoff speed and that it used “the whole runway.” When the airplane reached about 1,000 feet mean sea level, the engine stopped producing power, and the instructor took control of the airplane. He turned the airplane back toward the departure airport and performed remedial actions to regain engine power but was unsuccessful. When he determined the airplane would not reach the airport, he performed a forced landing to wooded terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Both pilots egressed without assistance. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the fuel system found it intact. Removal of the fuel pump caused water to spill from the pump. The pump was actuated by hand, and water was ejected from the pump. The carburetor float bowl contained a “50-50” mixture of water and fuel. The water in the fuel system, which should have been detected during a preflight inspection, led to the loss of engine power during takeoff.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 15, 2012, about 1815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N3812V, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Biddeford Municipal Airport (B19), Biddeford, Maine. The certificated private pilot/owner and certificated flight instructor sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Both the flight instructor and the pilot/owner provided written statements, and their statements were consistent throughout. According to their statements, the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, and takeoff checks were all completed in accordance with the checklist with no anomalies noted. The pilot/owner performed the takeoff and said the airplane seemed to "take forever" to reach takeoff speed, and that the airplane used "the whole runway" during the takeoff roll. When the airplane reached about 1,000 feet, the engine stopped producing power, and the instructor took control of the airplane. He turned the airplane back towards the departure airport, and performed remedial actions to regain engine power, but was unsuccessful. When he determined the airplane would not reach the airport, he performed a forced landing to wooded terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage, but both pilots egressed without assistance. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot/owner held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported 74 total hours of flight experience, of which 2 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The flight instructor held airline transport pilot and flight instructor certificates with multiple ratings. He reported 4,594 total hours of flight experience, of which 2 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records and the airplane’s maintenance logs, the airplane was manufactured in 1948, and its most recent annual inspection was completed on May 8, 2012, at 3,969 total aircraft hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1815, the weather reported at Sanford Regional Airport (SFM), Sanford, Maine, about 11 miles southwest of the accident site, included clear skies and winds from 130 at 5 knots. The temperature was 22 degrees C, the dew point was 12 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 30.28 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An FAA inspector performed a preliminary inspection of the wreckage at the scene, and then a detailed inspection after the airplane was recovered. The engine was rotated at the propeller, and continuity was established through the powertrain and valve train to the accessory section. Spark was produced by both magnetos, and ignition timing was confirmed. The fuel system was intact, and removal of the fuelpump caused water to spill from the pump. The pump was actuated by hand, and water was ejected from the pump. The carburetor float bowl contained a "50-50" mixture of water and fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3812V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3812V-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 18670, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18670
- Airframe hours: 3969
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hart William C
- Registered owner: Hart William C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2012
- Departed: B19, Biddeford, ME
- Destination: SFM, Sanford, ME
- Airport: B19, Biddeford Municipal Airport, runway 24, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 18, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 2 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days
- Flight instructor; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 4,594 total, 2 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: KSFM, 12 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 20120615015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120615015509A), Jun 15, 2012: Cessna 170, Biddeford, ME, Destroyed. Aircraft was on a VFR flight from the Biddeford, Maine airort (B19) to the sanford municipal airport, sanford, ME (sfm).preflight, engine start, run-up and…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83985. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 792 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum For Record FAA Inspector Interview (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386690&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20FAA%20Inspector%20Interview-Master.PDF
- Fuel Quality Statement from DEP Maine (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Quality%20Statement%20from%20DEP%20Maine-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Main Wreckage as Found (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20as%20Found%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Sample of Fuel and Water Drained from Fuel System (item 5, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386694&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Sample%20of%20Fuel%20and%20Water%20Drained%20from%20Fuel%20System-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Second View of Fuel and Water Drained from Fuel System (item 6, .PDF, 802 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Second%20View%20of%20Fuel%20and%20Water%20Drained%20from%20Fuel%20System-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.

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