# NTSB FTW00LA104: Cessna 195A, N9847A, Roanoke, TX, March 24, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 2000, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Roanoke, TX - Coordinates: 33.000427, -97.230171 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0004&lon=-97.2302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51124/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in loss of engine power due to water and rust contamination of the fuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,other than water (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During the forced landing, following a loss of engine power on takeoff, the airplane struck a tree and terrain. The pilot reported that during the preflight he 'Checked fuel-Visual; 30 gal each tank.' He reported 'no catastrophic engine failure.' The FAA inspector responding to the accident site found 'some contamination of rust and water in the fuel.' ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2000, at 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 195A, single-engine airplane, N9847A, struck a tree and terrain following a loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb from runway 17 at the Northwest Regional Airport, near Roanoke, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the airport approximately 1510. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated, in part: Preflight "Checked fuel-Visual; 30 gal each tank." During the second takeoff on runway 17, the "engine started to fail." The pilot performed a forced landing to an open field; however, during the left turn toward the field, the left wing of the airplane clipped a tree. The airplane came to rest approximately 60 yards east of the airport perimeter, upright in the field. The pilot reported "No catastrophic engine failure." A witness reported that he "heard the airplane making power sounded weak-idle-about 40 ft" agl. He further reported that the engine "quit about 3/4 down the runway." The FAA inspector responding to the accident site found "some contamination of rust and water in the fuel." The left wing leading edge and aileron were crushed aft, and the fuselage and cockpit were crumpled. The engine, propeller, and firewall were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9847A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9847A), registered now, S/N 7559, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 195A - Registry model: [Cessna 195A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195a) (registry code 2073110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7559 - Engines: Franklin R755-9 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George H. Shetzley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1999 - Departed: 52F - Airport: 52F, Northwest Regional, runway 17, 3,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 685 total, 109 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 20000324004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000324004879A), Mar 24, 2000: Cessna 195A, Roanoke, TX, No damage. (-23) On March 24, 2000, at 1530, a Cessna 195 owned by george shetzley crashed in a field after takeoff when the engine lost power during a pleasure flight.… 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.