# NTSB NYC89LA165: Cessna 182A, N6171B, Lancaster, NY, July 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1989, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, NY
- Coordinates: 42.900375, -78.659683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9004&lon=-78.6597&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 June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA165

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 182 HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT COULD NOT LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD, HE MADE A LEFT TURN AND HIT AN ABUTMENT. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND THE PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  AN ON-SCENE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED THERE WAS WATER IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. THE PILOT REPORTED GETTING 1/2 TEASPOON OF WATER OUT OF THE RIGHT FUEL TANK DURING THE PRE-FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6171B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6171B-2012-05-15), registration cancelled 2012-05-15, S/N 34171, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34171
- Airframe hours: 2895
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry Potoczak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: LANCASTER, NY
- Destination: D-42, CLARENCE CENTER, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,450 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890714025339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890714025339A), Jul 14, 1989: Cessna 182A, Lancaster, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Hit dirt bank and flipped over landing. Water in auto fuel and private storage tank.

## Other investigations on N6171B (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN12CA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA016), Oct 12, 2011: Cessna 182A (N6171B), Skiatook, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel management.

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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