# NTSB FTW86LA114: Cessna 172, N6469E, Weatherford, TX, June 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1986, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Weatherford, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749588, -97.769859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7496&lon=-97.7699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA114

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - fluid,fuel - water
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB PORTION OF THE FLIGHT. ON DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A FIELD. DURING PRE-FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTED THE FUEL TANKS WERE HALF FULL AND THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1' OF WATER IN THE SUMP. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT FLIGHT. EXAM OF THE CARBURETOR BOWL SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6469E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6469E-1988-11-21), registration cancelled 1988-11-21, S/N 46569 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46569
- Airframe hours: 2050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Barrow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1985, 42 hours before
- Airport: WEA, Parke County, runway 17, 2,950 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 159 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 50 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 19860618064049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860618064049A), Jun 18, 1986: Cessna 172, Weatherford, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed shortly after takeoff. Aircraft struck trees and landed in a field. Water found in fuel.

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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