# NTSB ERA17LA234: Cessna 172, N2492U, Cape Coral, FL, July 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2017, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Cape Coral, FL - Coordinates: 26.637222, -81.976112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6372&lon=-81.9761&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 - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 95511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95511/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95511 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA234 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that detected, but did not fully resolve, the water contamination of the fuel system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072410), [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 172D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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 172D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot indicated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane before the local flight and noticed a small amount of water drain from the fuel tanks while sampling fuel from them. After an engine run up, he did not notice any anomalies and departed. While in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,200 ft above ground level, the engine lost power, and the pilot changed his course to return to the departure airport. During the return to the airport, the engine lost total power. The pilot began an emergency descent and conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane struck power lines, collided with the ground, and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a mixture of water and fuel draining from the right fuel tank. Examination of the carburetor revealed a significant amount of corrosion within the carburetor; several large flakes of corroded material were at the bottom of the fuel bowl, and one flake was within the mixture control housing, indicating that water had likely been present in the fuel system for an extended period of time. Given this information, it is likely that water contamination of the fuel ultimately resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2017, about 0950 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172D airplane, N2492U, lost engine power over Cape Coral, Florida, and was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Page Field Airport (FMY), Fort Myers, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, prior to the flight he performed a preflight inspection and sumped the fuel tanks several times. He said that he only observed a small amount of water drain from the tanks. He performed an engine run up and no anomalies were observed prior to takeoff. After takeoff while in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,200 ft above the ground (agl), the pilot observed a loss of engine power. He immediately changed his course to return to the departure airport and applied carburetor heat to regain power. The engine continued to run rough at a decreased power setting, but the airplane maintained an altitude of 800 ft agl. As he planned for an emergency landing, the engine lost all power. He notified air traffic control that he was "going down" and began an emergency descent. The airplane struck power lines and collided with the ground nose first. The pilot exited the airplane and waited for emergency services. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector arrived on scene about 4 hours after the accident and noted that the airplane was inverted in a parking lot. During the examination of the airplane he observed that the nose of the airplane was crush aft, the engine was crushed against the firewall and there was buckling throughout the fuselage. A mixture of water and fuel was observed dripping out of the right wing fuel cap. The inspector estimated about 2 gallons of water flowed from the fuel tanks. He contacted the fire chief on scene and asked if water was sprayed on the airplane; the fire chief responded "no" and went on to say that "the pilot was also looking at the water dripping from the tank." After the airplane was removed it was discovered that the fuel caps had an extensive amount of rust on both fuel ports. An examination of the engine revealed impact damage signatures. The two blade, fixed pitch propeller remained attached to the crankshaft and displayed impact damage signatures to both of the blades. The crankshaft propeller flange remained partially attached to the rest of the crankshaft; the crankshaft was cracked aft of the propeller flange which was consistent with impact damage. The propeller was rotated by hand and camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity to the rear accessory section of the engine was observed. Due to damage to the engine an engine test-run was not attempted. The magnetos, and the ignition harness were impact damaged and were unable to provide any useful information. The engine assembly did not reveal anyanomalies within the drivetrain that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the carburetor revealed a significant amount of corrosion noted within the carburetor; there were several large flakes of corroded material at the bottom of the fuel bowl and one flake was located within the mixture control housing. Examination of the airframe revealed flight control continuity to all of the flight surfaces and flight controls. Examination the airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2492U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2492U-2019-03-02), registration cancelled 2019-03-02, S/N 17250092, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17250092 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 7558 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2017, 2 hours before - Departed: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL - Destination: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 263 total, 57 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: FMY, 9 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 20170707008979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170707008979A), Jul 7, 2017: Cessna 172D, Cape Coral, FL, Substantial damage. On July 07, 2017 at approximated 0950 local time, a Cessna, 172D aircraft struck a power line 15 minutes after take off from Page Field (fmy) airport due to… ## Other investigations on N2492U (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 UNK64X2478](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2478), Jun 25, 1964: Cessna 172 (N2492U), Cloudland, GA, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95511. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Aircraft Logbook Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 371 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Memorandum Of Record - Engine Examination (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20-%20Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Airframe Examination Summary (item 6, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Airframe%20Examination%20Summary-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 7, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.