# NTSB LAX96LA143: Cessna 172, N7044T, Upland, CA, March 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1996, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Upland, CA - Location: 34.1161° N, 117.6599° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Upland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1161&lon=-117.6599&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 August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29396/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA143 ## Probable cause fuel system contamination and the pilot's intentional operation of a known unairworthy aircraft. ## 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 (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that he recently purchased the aircraft and was in the process of getting it into flyable condition so it could be moved to a maintenance facility at another airport. The pilot stated that after draining and refilling the fuel system several times, he believed that all water had been purged from the system. After a high speed taxi test the pilot decided to try one pattern circuit. Shortly after the takeoff, the engine quit completely. The aircraft had insufficient altitude to return to the airport and the pilot landed in a rock quarry. The airport manager said that the aircraft had been parked on the airport for 6 years, and to his knowledge had not flown in that time. The pilot told the fuel facility staff while he was purchasing 15 gallons of aviation gasoline in metal cans that he had drained a lot of water from the tanks and was still getting some. No records have been found of any annual inspection or other maintenance activity by aircraft mechanics on the aircraft since 1991. The FAA had not issued a ferry permit to move the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1996, at 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N7044T, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing in a rock quarry near the Cable airport, Upland, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power during the takeoff initial climb. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on an non-FAA sanctioned ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage in the collision sequence. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Chino, California. The pilot reported that he recently purchased the aircraft and was in the process of getting it into flyable condition so it could be moved to a maintenance facility at Chino. The pilot stated that after draining and refilling the fuel system several times, he believed that all water had been purged from the system. After a high speed taxi test the pilot decided to try one pattern circuit. Shortly after the takeoff, the engine quit completely. The aircraft had insufficient altitude to return to the airport and the pilot landed in a rock quarry. The Cable airport manager said in a telephone interview that the aircraft had been parked on the airport for 6 years and to his knowledge had not flown in that time. The pilot purchased the aircraft 2 weeks prior and had been observed draining the fuel tanks, running the engine on the ground, and preparing the aircraft for flight. The pilot told the fuel facility staff while he was purchasing 15 gallons of aviation gasoline in metal cans that he had "drained alot of water from the tanks and was still getting some." FAA inspectors examined the aircraft records. No records have been found of any annual inspection or other maintenance activity by aircraft mechanics on the aircraft since 1991. The FAA had not issued a ferry permit to move the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7044T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7044T-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 46644 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46644 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel E. Brennan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CCB - Destination: CNO, CHINO, CA - Airport: CCB, Cable, runway 24, 3,865 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °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 19960323004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960323004929A), Mar 23, 1996: Cessna 172, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. Flying to chino for work on newly purchased 172. No ferry permit. Water in fuel. Sat idle for five years. 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.