# NTSB FTW90LA029: Cessna 172, N13055, Port Allen, LA, November 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1989, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Allen, LA
- Coordinates: 30.449216, -91.199363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4492&lon=-91.1994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA029

## Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/SERVICE OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING USED FOR PIPELINE PATROL. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH TWICE AND TWICE THE COMMERCIAL PILOT MADE OFF AIRPORT LANDINGS TO DRAIN THE SUMPS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. SHORTLY AFTER THE NEXT TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A ROUGH SUGAR-CANE FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR THREE YEARS. THE MAINENANCE PERSONNEL THAT RETURNED THE AIRPLANE TO SERVICE, STATED THEY HAD USED THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL TO REMOVE THE AIRPLANE FROM STORAGE, AND BACK TO SERVICE. INVESTIGATION INDICATED ALL PARTS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM WERE COVERED WITH A RUST COLORED, VARNISH LIKE SUBSTANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13055](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13055-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 17262462, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262462
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Airscan Aerial Surveillance
- Registered owner: Air Scan, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: GONZALES, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,859 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 6,729 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F

## 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 19891120046419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891120046419A), Nov 20, 1989: Cessna 172M, Port Allen, LA, Substantial damage. After several forced landings due to rough engine was forced down again. Had been in storage. Rust, varnish 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.

---
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.