# NTSB MIA88LA082: Cessna 172, N40AZ, Tampa, FL, January 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1988, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.00036, -82.379623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0004&lon=-82.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA082

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation

## Analysis

AFTER PREFLIGHTING THE ACFT, 30.8 GAL OF FUEL WERE ADDED. NO FURTHER INSP WAS PERFORMED. THE FLT TOOK OFF AFTER AN ENG RUNUP WAS ACCOMPLISHED. NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OF THE FIRST TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, AT AN ALT OF APRX 75 FT, THE ENG QUIT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON AN ACCESS ROAD, THE PLT LANDED SHORT. AS A RESULT, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT SAT OUTSIDE UNCOVERED FOR APRX FIVE WEEKS WITH 6.2 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. INSP OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 PINT OF WATER. NO SAMPLE COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE RT TANK. DRAINING OF THE GASCOLATOR REVEALED THAT IT CONTAINED MOSTLY WATER. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40AZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40AZ-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 28999, 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: 28999
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. Alman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: X16, Vandenberg, runway 36, 3,260 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 246 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 10 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 19880103051299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880103051299A), Jan 3, 1988: Cessna 172, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Tried for a road but crashed short. Water in fuel. Had set out 5 weeks with low fuel.

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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