# NTSB NYC91LA070: Cessna 172M, N13341, Nashua, NH, February 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1991, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Nashua, NH
- Location: 42.7491° N, 71.4905° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nashua, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7491&lon=-71.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA070

## Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION BY OTHER PERSONNEL WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT ENGINE FAILURE AND A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, unknown
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - unavailable, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE CESSNA 172 WAS AT 1500 FEET ALTITUDE JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A GRAVEL PIT.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED A 'JELL TYPE SUBSTANCE COMPLETELY FILLING THE ACCELERATOR PUMP HOUSING.'  IT WAS REPORTED AN UNKNOWN PERSON PUT AUTOMOBILE DRY GAS INTO THE FUEL TANKS THE DAY BEFORE THE FLIGHT. INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE A SUBSTANCE IDENTICAL TO THE ONE FOUND, BY MIXING DRY GAS, AVIATION FUEL AND WATER AND THEN FREEZING THE MIXTURE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE STARTED USING NORMAL PROCEDURES.  THE PRIMER HAD TO BE USED REPEATEDLY, AND EVEN THEN THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13341](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13341-1993-05-24), registration cancelled 1993-05-24, S/N 17262684 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L36170-279
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tye A. Merrill
- Registered owner: Tye A. Merrill
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: ASH, NASHUA, NH
- Destination: BAF, WESTFIELD, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 207 total, 207 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 165° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910202003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910202003509A), Feb 2, 1991: Cessna 172M, Nashua, NH, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff. Crashed in a gravel pit. Fuel system clogged by frozen dry gas and water.

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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