# NTSB ERA13LA276: Cessna 170, N2585V, Plainville, CT, June 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 2013, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Plainville, CT - Coordinates: 41.686943, -72.858612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6869&lon=-72.8586&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87131/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87131 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA276 ## Probable cause The pilot’s overflight of the landing runway during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight which resulted in his failure to detect water contamination of the fuel system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: 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) - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, as he reduced power, he incrementally increased the flap settings to 10, 20 and 30 degrees on the downwind leg on the west side of the runway. He added that he applied carburetor heat when he increased the flap setting to 20 degrees. At 80 mph, with 30 degrees of flaps extended and before turning to the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine experienced a total loss of power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane flew from west to east across the runway, rather than turning toward the runway, and crashed in marshland on the east side of the runway abeam the numbers. The fuel system was sumped from three points, and each sample contained a significant quantity of water. The fuel system was drained, the airplane was serviced with fresh fuel, and an engine start was initiated. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. Examination of the seals around the fuel caps revealed that they were unserviceable, and no longer functioned as designed. Over 3 inches of rain fell between the previous flight and the accident flight and likely entered the fuel tanks through the seals around the fuel caps. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 2013, at 0920 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N2585V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while on landing approach to Robertson Field (4B8), Plainville, Connecticut. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (MMK) Meriden, Connecticut. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was on the left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for landing on Runway 02. He described as he reduced power, and incrementally increased the flap settings to 10, 20 and 30 degrees; all on the downwind leg. The pilot stated he applied carburetor heat when he increased the flap setting to 20 degrees. At 80 miles per hour, with 30 degrees of flaps extended, and prior to turning to the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot stated that the airplane lacked the altitude and airspeed to glide to the runway from the point of the engine failure, and elected to land the airplane in wetlands on the east side of the runway; beyond the approach end. The pilot of another airplane in the airport traffic pattern at the time of the accident stated that his airplane was ahead of the accident airplane, on a left base for landing on runway 02, when the accident airplane appeared beneath his, and inside of his base-leg turn for the same runway. He described and diagramed how the airplane crossed the extended runway centerline from west to east, flew past and north of the approach end of the runway, and crashed in wooded wetlands east of the runway, abeam the runway numbers. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued in December 2012. The pilot reported 407 total hours of flight experience, 56 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane was recovered and examined by an FAA inspector on June 10, 2013. The fuel system was sumped from three points, and each sample contained a significant quantity of water. The fuel system was drained, the airplane was serviced with fresh fuel, and an engine start was initiated. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly and ran continuously without interruption. Examination of the seals around the fuel caps revealed that they were unserviceable, and no longer functioned as designed. Examination of rainfall totals revealed that over 3 inches of rain fell between the flight previous to the accident flight and the day of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2585V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2585V-2015-02-04), registration cancelled 2015-02-04, S/N 18090, 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: 18090 - Airframe hours: 5739 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Suttmeier Robert - Registered owner: Suttmeier Robert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2012 - Departed: MMK, Meriden, CT - Destination: 4B8, Plainville, CT - Airport: 4B8, Robertson Field, runway 02, 3,665 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 407 total, 56 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KHFC, 10 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 20130609010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130609010009A), Jun 9, 2013: Cessna 170, Plainville, CT, Substantial damage. On June 9, 2013 at 1320 zulu hrs. A private pilot of aircraft registration number N2585V model CE-170 s/n 18090 operating under 14 CFR 91 flight rules declared… ## Other investigations on N2585V (1) 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 MKC88LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA094), May 21, 1988: Cessna 170 (N2585V), Cassville, MO, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87131. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Memorandum) (item 1, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Memorandum)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Witness and Pilot Statements (item 3, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Witness%20and%20Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - NOAA Rainfall Statement (item 4, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NOAA%20Rainfall%20Statement-Master.PDF - Hfd METAR (item 5, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HFD%20METAR-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of Main Wreckage as Found (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20as%20Found%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. View of Fuel Samples from Wing Sump, Carburetor and Gascolator (item 7, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20View%20of%20Fuel%20Samples%20from%20Wing%20Sump,%20Carburetor%20and%20Gascolator-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.