# NTSB LAX08LA118: Cessna C175A, N6868E, Groveland, CA, April 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2008, 18:55 local (Apr 20, 2008, 01:55 UTC) - Place: Groveland, CA - Coordinates: 37.861667, -120.17778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8617&lon=-120.1778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67855/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA118 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blocked fuel line that was improperly fabricated by the pilot. Also causal was the pilot's excessive ground speed during the taxi tests that resulted in an inadvertent takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Maintenance: fabrication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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 maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was also a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, was conducting a series of high-speed taxi tests after installing a recently purchased engine. While performing the tests, the airplane's ground speed became excessive and it encountered a gust of wind. The airplane unintentionally became airborne and continued to climb. The pilot attempted to return back to the airport but the engine experienced a total loss of power. The airplane subsequently collided with a telephone pole and descended nose-low onto the road below. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine. During the disassembly of the fuel line connecting the gascolator to the carburetor, he observed a condition inside the line known as a "flapper valve" at both end fittings. The inspector stated that this was the fuel line that the pilot had recently fabricated. He stated that the "flapper valve" condition can occur as a result of the end fittings being installed without using a mandrel, where the fitting edge cuts the inside of the hose creating a valve-like piece that obstructs fuel flow. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2008, about 1855 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) C175A Skylark, N6868E, experienced a reported loss of engine power and collided with transmission wires following a departure from Pine Mountain Lake Airport, Groveland, California. The pilot, who was the owner, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was originating from Groveland. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that while conducting a high-speed taxi test, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the airplane inadvertently became airborne. The engine experienced a loss of power and the airplane struck power lines. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) interviewed friends of the pilot who were based at Groveland. A friend stated that the pilot, who was a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, was conducting a series of high-speed taxi tests. The airplane's groundspeed became excessive and it encountered a gust of wind. The airplane unintentionally became airborne. The airplane continued to climb and it appeared as though the pilot was attempting to return back to the airport. After the airplane made a 90-degree turn, the engine experienced a loss of power momentarily. The engine powered up again and then quit. The airplane collided with a telephone pole and descended nose-low onto the road below. The FAA inspector and representatives from both Cessna and Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) conducted a post accident examination. The FAA inspector discovered that the pilot had just installed a recently purchased engine. As part of the installation he had fabricated and fitted a new fuel line just prior to the accident flight. According to the FAA inspector, the engine and airframe examination disclosed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation except the following. He noted that during the disassembly of the fuel line connecting the gascolator to carburetor he noticed a "flapper valve" at both end fittings; he thought this was the fuel line the pilot had recently fabricated. He stated that flapper valves can occur as a result of fittings being installed without using a mandrel, where the fitting cuts the inside of the hose creating a valve that obstructs fuel flow. The inspector opined that the flapper valve created enough of an obstruction to prevent fuel flow. The FAA inspector added that the last annual inspection noted in the airframe logbook was on October 01, 2006, at a total time of 2,733.4 hours. No records were found for the engine or installation thereof. He further stated that the airplane had not been approved for return to service, nor did it have an airworthiness certificate. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) generated by an Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) at Merced Municipal Airport/Macready Field, Merced, California (located 38 nautical miles southwest from the accident site), indicated that about 2 minutes prior to the accident, winds were 260 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6868E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6868E-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 56368, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA C175A - Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56368 - Airframe hours: 2733.4 - Engines: Continental Motors GO-300 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2006 - Departed: E45, Groveland, CA - Destination: E45 - Airport: E45, Pine Mountain Lake Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 4 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KMCE, 38 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 20080419833259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080419833259A), Apr 19, 2008: Cessna 175A, Groveland, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft had just undergone maintenance, which included reassembly and installing a time continued engine after transport of the aircraft by ground from… 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.