# NTSB SEA85LA027: Cessna 172C, N1424Y, Creswell, OR, December 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1984, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Creswell, OR
- Coordinates: 43.900722, -123.019386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9007&lon=-123.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA027

## Analysis

AT ALT OF APRX 100 FT AGL ENGINE QUIT. WITNESS STATED ACFT TURNED TO THE RIGHT THEN TO THE LEFT BEFORE NOSING DOWN INTO THE GROUND. INSPECTION REVEALED ICE CRYSTALS ON THE LEFT WING WHERE THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND FUEL WAS LEAKING. WITNESS STATED ICE CRYSTALS WERE ON THE GROUND WHERE THE FUEL WAS LEAKING A FEW DROPS OF WATER WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE QUICK DRAIN. WING TANK FUEL DRAINS CONTAINED NO WATER. AREA AROUND BOTH FUEL CAPS WAS RUSTY AND THE CAP SEALS SHOWED RUST MARKS. PLT STATED LEFT FUEL TANK COULD NOT BE FILLED BECAUSE IT LEAKED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MECHANICAL COULD BE FOUND.

## 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 - water
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1424Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249124
- Airframe hours: 1640
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene L. Fairchild
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: 775, CRESWELL, OR
- Destination: 775, CRESWELL, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 895 total, 642 in this make and model, 844 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °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 19841206067379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841206067379A), Dec 6, 1984: Cessna 172C, Creswell, OR, Substantial damage. Slow acceleration on takeoff. Engine quit 100 feet in the air. Aircraft stalled. Possible water in the fuel.

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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