# NTSB WPR09LA021: Cessna 172A, N7822T, Coolidge, AZ, October 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 23, 2008, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Coolidge, AZ - Coordinates: 32.937778, -111.484443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9378&lon=-111.4844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69336/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69336 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA021 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb at 300 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to restart the engine to no avail, reversed course, and descended into the ground short of the departure runway. The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate, and he owned and maintained the airplane. During the subsequent examination of the airplane, water was found in the fuel strainer and carburetor. Also, several maintenance-related discrepancies were observed, including frayed electrical cords in the cockpit, missing placards, a finger-tight fuel line, and hornets' nests in the empennage and the horizontal stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On October 23, 2008, about 1415 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172A, N7822T, experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb from the Sarita Airport, located about 4 miles southeast of Coolidge, Arizona. The pilot reversed course and, during a forced landing, the airplane impacted the side of a ditch short of the runway. The commercial certificated pilot and passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot owned, operated, and maintained the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that no mechanical problems or airplane anomalies were observed during his preflight inspection. Also, the engine operated normally during the pretakeoff run-up. The accident occurred following takeoff from runway 17 at the uncontrolled airport. Upon climbing about 300 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost all power. The event was not precipitated by any unusual vibration, backfiring or missing, and the propeller started windmilling. There were at least 10 gallons of fuel in each wing tank. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that he immediately repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the opposite wing tank and reversed his direction of flight. However, there was insufficient altitude to return to the airport. Engine power was not restored following his repositioning of the fuel selector. During the impact sequence a wing broke, the windshield cracked, the firewall buckled, and cabin floor bulkheads bent. The pilot stated that he held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. The airplane was equipped with a Franklyn engine, which he had installed. The pilot stated that he had performed the last annual inspection of his airplane, and he was responsible for its maintenance. A FAA inspector from the Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office subsequently examined the airplane. The inspector reported to the Safety Board investigator finding "copious amounts of water in the fuel strainer, and evidence of water in the carburetor." The inspector also reported, in part, observing other discrepancies including frayed electrical cords in the cockpit, missing placards, a finger tight fuel line, and hornets' nests in the empennage and the horizontal stabilizer. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030) - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7822T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7822T-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 47422, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47422 - Airframe hours: 2907 - Engines: Franklyn 6A350C1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2008, 60 hours before - Departed: 37AZ, Coolidge, AZ - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Airport: 37AZ, Sarita, runway 17, 2,800 × 80 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,088 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: CGZ, 13 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 20081023851999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081023851999A), Oct 23, 2008: Cessna 172A, Coolidge, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that he took off from sarita airport (37AZ). When he made a right turn after takeoff, the engine quit. He then selected the opposite… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69336. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Airplane Maintenance Records (Extract) (item 3, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Maintenance%20Records%20(Extract)-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.