# NTSB NYC06CA047: Cessna 180H, N2869U, Greenville, NH, December 28, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 28, 2005, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, NH
- Coordinates: 42.720001, -71.779998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7200&lon=-71.7800&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 March 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA047

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in water-contaminated fuel in the engine and subsequent engine failure.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,gascolator - water
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he did not sump the fuel tanks during the airplane's preflight inspection, thinking that because the outside temperature had remained below freezing, any water would have been in the form of ice.  Shortly after takeoff, about 100 feet, the engine lost power, and the airplane struck trees about 1/4 mile from the end of the runway.  The pilot further stated that he thought the cause of the accident was water in the fuel, and that draining the sumps would have prevented the power loss.  Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed water in the gascolator.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he did not sump the fuel tanks during the airplane's preflight inspection, thinking that because the outside temperature had remained below freezing, any water would have been in the form of ice.  Shortly after takeoff, about 100 feet, the engine lost power, and the airplane struck trees about 1/4 mile from the end of the runway.  The pilot further stated that he thought the cause of the accident was water in the fuel, and that draining the sumps would have prevented the power loss.  Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed water in the gascolator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2869U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2869U), registered now, S/N 18052216, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 180-52216
- Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael J. Farrey
- Registered owner: Isabelle Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NH76, Greenville, NH
- Destination: NH16, Brookline, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 24,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20051228030699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051228030699A), Dec 28, 2005: Cessna 180H, Mason, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was attempting to takeoff on runway 32 at his 2300 ft private dirt strip. After lift-off, the engine gradually started…

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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