# NTSB NYC96LA187: Cessna 180K, N2738K, Derry, NH, September 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1996, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Derry, NH - Location: 42.8876° N, 71.2820° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Derry, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8876&lon=-71.2820&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39244/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA187 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect water contaminated fuel, and resulted in a loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's operation of the aircraft with a known deficiency that consisted of a fuel tank leak. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,tank - leak (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff climb, at an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the engine lost power; and during a forced landing, the aircraft stuck trees. A postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed the main fuel line from the fuel strainer to the carburetor was full of water. Also disclosed was two fuel leaks on the top of the right wing. According to the pilot/owner, he had noticed the seeping of fuel before the accident. The aircraft had been parked for a few weeks before this accident. This area had experienced heavy rain recently. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1996 about 1230 eastern daylight time, N2738K, a Cessna 180K airplane, had a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb, and was forced landed into trees at Derry, New Hampshire. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The destination was Auburn, Maine. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the "...aircraft was tied out for 3 weeks ..." prior to the accident flight. He stated that the preflight was done to include "...draining sumps." The pilot reported that he performed an engine run-up of about 5 minutes duration, taxied for departure and took off. He stated that at approximately "...200 [feet] power lost - crashed in trees at end of field - water in fuel." A post accident examination of the aircraft was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector. The Inspector reported, "Removed main fuel line from fuel strainer to carburetor and found it full of water. Also discovered two fuel leaks on the top of the right wing. The pilot/owner Mr. Edwin Simonsen said he had noticed this seeping before the accident. The aircraft had been parked for a few weeks before this accident. This area had experienced heavy rain recently." "When Mr. Simonsen performed his preflight the tail of the aircraft was up at least a foot or more than normal because he tied it down with the nose on a downward slope. Subsequently, when he sumped the tanks and fuel strainer he found only fuel. The water had settled to the forward section of the tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2738K (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 53052 - Airframe hours: 1524 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edwin Simonsen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1996, 12 hours before - Destination: LEW, AUBURN, ME ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 900 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MHT, 7 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 19960920029159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960920029159A), Sep 20, 1996: Cessna 180K, Derry, NH, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed into trees. Sat out three weeks. Water in fuel. Sumped tanks but water not at outlet. 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.