# NTSB MIA85LA218: Cessna 172, N8151X, Lawtey, FL, July 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1985, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Lawtey, FL
- Coordinates: 30.290353, -81.639022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2904&lon=-81.6390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR TWO YEARS. DURING THE PREFLT INSPECTON, THE FUEL SUMPS WERE DRAINED REPEATEDLY & EACH TIME, A QUANTITY OF WATER WAS OBSERVED IN THE COLLECTED FUEL SAMPLE. APRX 30 MINS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG FAILED & A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK SOME BUSHES & ACFT VEERED INTO A ROADSIDE DITCH & FLIPPED INVERTED. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYS REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF WATER & OTHER FOREIGN MATTER IN THE SYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8151X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8151X), registered now, S/N 17248651 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248651
- Airframe hours: 2685
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baxter H. Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: 23J, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: 72J, KEYSTONE HEIGHT, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 81 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 23 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 19850725033789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850725033789A), Jul 25, 1985: Cessna 172B, Lawtey, FL, Destroyed. Although sumps drained, water still caused engine failure on aircraft, not flown in 2 years. Flown on ferry permit.

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.

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