# NTSB MIA07CA141: Cessna 172, N6729A, Mooresville, NC, September 7, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2007, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Mooresville, NC - Coordinates: 35.623054, -80.910278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6231&lon=-80.9103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 66614 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66614/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA141 ## Probable cause The inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane by the pilot-in-command for his failure to remove all water contamination from the fuel system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During preflight inspection of the airplane water was detected and drained from the left wing fuel tank; but no other water was noted in the fuel system. The flight departed and approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the engine experienced a loss of power. Application of carburetor heat momentarily restored engine power but the engine power decreased, and further attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful. The pilot then maneuvered for a forced landing on a golf course but due to golfers on the intended fairway, the pilot landed long. The nose landing gear fork fractured after contacting a curb and the left wing contacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed six ounces of water in the gascolator. The seals of the fuel filler caps were "cracked." There was no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure of the engine or its systems. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he moved the airplane before his preflight inspection, which included placing it in a nose-high position several times. During his preflight inspection, he checked both wing fuel tanks and gascolator for contaminants. Water was detected and removed from the left wing fuel tank but no water was found in the right fuel tank or gascolator. The flight departed and approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the engine experienced a loss of rpm. He added full throttle then applied carburetor heat. The engine rpm increased slightly after he applied carburetor heat but the engine rpm returned to the previous setting. He leaned the fuel/air ratio, but this did not restore engine power. He then moved the fuel selector valve from the "both" position, to the "left" and "right" positions; this did not restore engine power. Knowing the area, he maneuvered for a forced landing on a fairway at a nearby golf course, but pulled up to avoid golfers who had entered the fairway. As a result, the airplane landed longer than anticipated and while nearly slowed, the nose landing gear contacted a curb. The nose landing gear fork fractured and the left wing then contacted the ground. He exited the airplane. Inspection of the fuel system by an FAA inspector revealed the gascolator contained approximately 12 ounces of fuel and water; about 1/2 was water. The carburetor screen was checked and found to be clean. Examination of the fuel filler caps revealed the seals were "cracked." Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6729A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6729A), registered now, S/N 28829, built 1956 (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: 28829 - Airframe hours: 2087 - Engines: Continental O-300A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Maxcy B. O'Toel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: 14A, Mooresville, NC - Destination: 14A, Mooresville, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, military, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20070907831389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070907831389A), Sep 7, 2007: Cessna 172, Mooresville, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) N6729A, a Cessna CE-172, the sole occupant, pilot-in-command, during his climb to altitude experienced an engine failure, scanned the immediate area and… 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.