# NTSB NYC03LA010: Cessna 152, N47147, Salisbury, MA, October 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 2002, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Salisbury, MA - Coordinates: 42.834445, -70.829444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8344&lon=-70.8294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 55920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55920/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA010 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Factors in this accident were the corroded fuel tanks caps, and an inadequate annual inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fuel system - contamination,water (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,cap - corroded (contributing factor) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and observed water in the fuel system. The pilot drained the fuel system and allowed the engine to operate for "well over 15 minutes," prior to takeoff. The airplane departed uneventfully; however, later in the flight, while maneuvering, it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to a marsh area. Examination of the airplane and engine, which included draining fuel samples from both wing fuel tanks, the gascolator and the carburetor, revealed significant amounts of water contamination throughout the airplane's fuel system. The undersides of both the right and left wing fuel caps exhibited evidence of corrosion. The right wing fuel cap seal was severely worn and cracked. The airplane was parked outside for over a week and a check of weather observations reported for the area during the two week period prior to the accident, revealed several observations which included precipitation. The airplane had been operated for about 15 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 2 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 2002, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N47147, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after it experienced a total loss of engine power near Salisbury, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that departed the Beverly Municipal Airport (BVY), Beverly, Massachusetts. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was based at the Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM), Lawrence, Massachusetts. In a written statement, the pilot reported that on the morning of the accident, he arrived at LWM and performed a preflight inspection of the airplane. The airplane was parked outside for over a week, and during the preflight inspection, he observed water in the fuel system. The pilot drained the fuel system until he observed no evidence of water contamination and then completed an uneventful 15 minute flight to BVY. Later in the day, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and again observed water in the airplane's fuel system. After draining the fuel system, the pilot started the engine, and allowed the engine to operate for "well over 15 minutes," prior to takeoff. The airplane departed BVY uneventfully. The pilot was flying over Salisbury Beach State Park, at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, when he experienced a total loss of engine power, while performing a left turn. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to a marsh area. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over. Post accident examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, which included draining fuel samples from both wing fuel tanks, the gascolator and the carburetor, revealed "significant" amounts of water contamination throughout airplane's fuel system. The undersides of both the right and left wing fuel caps exhibited evidence of corrosion. The right wing fuel cap seal was severely worn and cracked. A check of weather observations reported at LWM, during the two week period prior to the accident, revealed several observations which included precipitation. The airplane had been operated for about 15 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 2 months prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47147](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47147-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 15283179, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (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: 15283179 - Airframe hours: 3553 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Manuel Encarnacion - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2002, 15 hours before - Departed: BVY, BEVERLY, MA - Destination: LWM, LAWRENCE, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: LWM, 17 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 20021020030269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021020030269A), Oct 20, 2002: Cessna 152, Salisbury, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Distribution: original copy ANE-200, NE01 mgr, NE01 spm, NE01 file, AAI200, AFS-300, ACE-100; [privacy data omitted] on October 20, 2002 N47147 a Cessna… 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.