# NTSB ERA16LA018: Cessna 172, N6636A, Campobello, SC, October 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 18, 2015, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC) - Place: Campobello, SC - Coordinates: 35.134723, -82.113609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1347&lon=-82.1136&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination. ## 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 · Inadequate inspection (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) - [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) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072402), [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. - [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) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he performed a thorough preflight inspection and observed no contaminants in the fuel. He reported that, during cruise flight on a local sightseeing flight, the engine lost all power. The pilot could not restart the engine, so he performed a forced landing in a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and then came to rest inverted, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During examination of the fuel system, water was found in the firewall-mounted fuel strainer. The left wing tank was dry; however, there was evidence of postaccident fuel leakage from the tank. The right wing tank was sumped using a standard 6-inch tube-type fuel tester. The tester was filled twice, and it only contained water each time. The tester was filled a third time, and it contained about 3/4 water and 1/4 fuel. Although the pilot reported that he performed a thorough preflight inspection, his inspection was not adequate because he failed to detect the water contamination. ## Factual narrative On October 18, 2015, about 1912 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6636A, nosed over in a field following a forced landing near Campobello, South Carolina. The private pilot had minor injuries, two passengers were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Dusk, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Fairview Airport (33A), Landrum, South Carolina, about 1845.The pilot reported the following. He was taking his son and a friend on a local, sightseeing flight to a nearby lake. During cruise flight, the engine lost all power. Attempts to regain power were unsuccessful. He elected to force land the airplane in a nearby farm field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to a stop. He subsequently reported to an inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that he took off with 30 gallons of fuel on board. He also reported that he performed a thorough preflight inspection and the fuel was free of contaminants. An inspector with the FAA responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The airplane came to rest on a northwesterly heading, inverted. Structural damage was confirmed to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. Once the airplane was positioned upright, the fuel system was inspected. The firewall-mounted fuel strainer contained visible water. The cockpit fuel selector handle was found in the "BOTH OFF" position. The left wing was empty of fuel, and there was evidence of fuel leakage under the left wing. The right wing tank was sumped utilizing a standard six-inch tube-type fuel tester. The tester was filled two times and only water drained from the tank. On the third sumping attempt, the tester was filled and contained about three quarters water and one quarter fuel. The exact amount of fuel and water in the right tank was not determined. The pilot completed a NTSB Form 6120.1 after the accident and reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6636A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6636A-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 28736, built 1956 (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: 28736 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Myalik Gennady - Registered owner: Myalik Gennady - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2014, 25 hours before - Departed: 33A, Landrum, SC - Destination: 33A, Landrum, SC - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 452 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: SPA, 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 20151018018039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151018018039A), Oct 18, 2015: Cessna 172, Campobello, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot departed on a local VFR flight and after 5 minutes into the flight the engine quit and a forced landing was initiated into a field and aircraft turned… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92192. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement - Bogan (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20-%20Bogan-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement - Baker (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20-%20Baker-Master.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies - Spartanburg County SO Report (item 4, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%20-%20Spartanburg%20County%20SO%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.