# NTSB MKC85LA224: Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, N1008E, Council Bluffs, IA, September 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1985, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Council Bluffs, IA
- Location: 41.2619° N, 95.8608° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Council Bluffs, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2619&lon=-95.8608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA224

## 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)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - refueling - improper, airport personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

ON CLIMBOUT FM THE COUNCIL BLUFFS AIRPORT THE PLT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE ENGINE QUITTING. THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN AIR RESTART BUT WAS TOO LOW TO THE GRND TO CONTINUE. THE PLT WEAVED IN AND OUT OF TREES DURING HIS DESCENT FINALLY IMPACTING THE UP-SLOPE OF HILLY TERRAIN. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL OF AN APPROXIMATE 50/50 RATIO. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL FACILITY SHOWED THE DISPENSING FUEL TRUCK PRIOR TO DISPENSING FUEL INTO THE ACFT. INSPECTION OF THE TRUCK REVEALED THE FUELING CAP ON THE TOP OF THE TANK WAS LEAKING ALLOWING INGESTION OF WATER INTO THE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1008E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1008E), registered now, S/N 1202-77 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA CITABRIA 7ECA (CITABRIA 7)
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1202-77
- Airframe hours: 708
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffery S. Forman
- Registered owner: Stanley E. Forman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1985, 25 hours before
- Departed: CBF, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA
- Destination: SWO, STILLWATER, OK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 69 total, 69 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 4 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 19850930048219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850930048219A), Sep 30, 1985: Bbavia 7ECA, Council Bluffs, IA, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Landed in a field. Aircraft had been refueled from unsumped truck. Water in 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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