# NTSB FTW96LA345: Cessna 210-5, N8139Z, Muskogee, OK, August 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1996, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Muskogee, OK - Location: 35.7479° N, 95.3697° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Muskogee, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7479&lon=-95.3697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA345 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19943/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA345 ## Probable cause loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence post - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the engine started to run rough, and then lost power, while in cruise flight at 6,500 feet MSL. The pilot attempted to land at a nearby airport; however, he subsequently landed short of the airport in a field approximately one mile southeast of the airport. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a fence and fence posts, which resulted in leading edge damage to one wing and structural damage to both wing struts. The engine was examined by an FAA inspector, the aircraft owner, and a representative from the engine manufacturer at an local FBO. The contents of the fuel system were examined, and evidence of fuel contamination was found. The fuel in the tanks was yellow/straw in color and lacked the appearance of 100LL fuel; however, no diesel or jet fuel was detected. New spark plugs were installed, and the airplane was defueled and serviced with fresh 100LL fuel. The engine was started, and it operated normally through the normal operating range. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1996, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 210-5, N8139Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Muskogee, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned and operated by a private owner. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. A weather briefing was obtained by the pilot prior to the flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Lonoke, Arkansas, at approximately 0800. According to the pilot, the engine started to run rough, and subsequently lost power while in cruise flight at 6,500 feet MSL. The pilot attempted to land at the Davis Airport, near Muskogee, Oklahoma; however, he was not able to reach the airport and landed in a field approximately one mile southeast of the airport. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a fence and fence posts resulting in leading edge damage to one wing and structural damage to both wing struts. The engine was examined by the FAA inspector, the aircraft owner, and a representative from the engine manufacturer on August 28, 1996 at an FBO at Davis Field in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The contents of the fuel system were examined. The fuel in the tanks was "discolored" by an unknown substance and appeared yellow/straw in color. The fuel was also lacking the appearance and smell of 100LL fuel; however, no diesel or jet fuel was detected. New spark plugs were installed as the fuel tanks were drained and serviced with fresh 100LL fuel. The engine was started and operated normally through the normal operating range by the pilot/owner of the aircraft. The loss of engine power was attributed to the contaminated fuel found in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8139Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8139Z-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 2050139, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210-5 - Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2050139 - Airframe hours: 1348 - Engines: Continental IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gene S. Carmical - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: LONOKE, AR - Destination: GTR, GUTHRIE, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 369 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960807026039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960807026039A), Aug 7, 1996: Cessna 2105, Muskogee, OK, Substantial damage. Rough engine en route. Tried for mko. Unable, landed in field. Hit fence and posts. Found fuel contamination. (-23) while enroute from anderson field (pvt)… 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.