# NTSB NYC98LA065: Boeing A75L300, N55412, Chester, NY, February 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 1998, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Chester, NY - Coordinates: 41.349418, -74.269401 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3494&lon=-74.2694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39532/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight which failed to reveal fuel contamination. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,other than water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot used a 55 gallon drum with a pump and filter to refuel the airplane. Earlier in the day, he added 10 to 15 gallons of fuel from the drum to the airplane. He then departed on a flight without draining the gascolater. During the flight, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a wooded area. After the accident, when fuel was drained from the gascolater into a 6 inch diameter glass jar, 1 1/2 inches of water was present at the bottom of the jar. Additionally, unidentified particles were found suspended in the fuel throughout the sample. After the fuel was drained, and the engine refueled, a run-up was conducted and the engine performed satisfactorily. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 1998, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Boeing A75L300, a Stearman, N55412, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a forced landing near the Orange Poultry Farm Airport (4NY1), Chester, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which originated at Warwick, New York, destined for 4NY1. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector (FAA), the airplane had a supplemental type certificate for the use of automotive gasoline, and the pilot used a 55 gallon drum with a pump and filter to refuel the airplane. Earlier in the day, the pilot had added 10 to 15 gallons of fuel to the airplane from the drum. The pilot then departed Warwick with a passenger for the 4 mile flight to 4NY1. Upon arriving at 4NY1, the pilot circled in the pattern to alert persons on the ground of his intention to land. During the pilot's second circle in the pattern, while on downwind at 500-800 feet (AGL), the engine lost total power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a wooded area. Examination of the wreckage was performed by an FAA Inspector, who stated that when fuel was drained from the gascolater into a 6 inch diameter glass jar, 1 1/2 inches of water was present at the bottom of the jar. Additionally, unidentified particles were found suspended in the fuel, throughout the sample. In an interview with an FAA Inspector, the pilot said he drained the gascolater before adding fuel to the airplane from the drum. However, he did not drain the gascolater after the fuel was added to the airplane. After the accident, all the fuel was drained from the engine and the engine was refueled. An engine run-up was performed by the FAA Inspector, and the engine performed satisfactorily. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55412](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55412), registered now, S/N 75-1551, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing A75L300 - Registry model: [Boeing A75L300](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75l300) (registry code 1380132) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680e-series) (registry code 41545, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-1551 - Airframe hours: 4773 - Engines: Lycoming R680-E3B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David G. Mac Millan - Registered owner: Ronald H. Gertsen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997, 32 hours before - Departed: N72, WARWICK, NY - Destination: 4NY1, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SWF, 70 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 19980207001049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980207001049A), Feb 7, 1998: Boeing A75L300, Chester, NY, Substantial damage. Lost power on landing. Approach. Crashed landed. No narrative. (.4)the pilot used a 55 gallon drum with a pump and filter to refuel the airplane. Earlier in… 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.