# NTSB MKC89LA078: Cessna 175, N175RP, Murray, NE, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Murray, NE
- Coordinates: 40.910499, -95.91983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9105&lon=-95.9198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA078

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE DITCH IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER ABOUT 1 & 1/2 HRS OF FLT, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER.  HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A COUNTY ROAD. DURING THE ROLL-OUT, THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER & HIT A POWER BOX.  A POST-ACDNT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N175RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N175RP-2012-07-30), registration cancelled 2012-07-30, S/N 55390, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55390
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcauliffe, David J.
- Registered owner: Mcauliffe, David J Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PMV, PLATTSMOUTH, NE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 190 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890311003919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003919A), Mar 11, 1989: Cessna 175, Murray, NE, Substantial damage. Engine began losing power, elected to land on a dirt road and hit a ditch. Water was found in the fuel system.

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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