# NTSB WPR12CA350: Cessna 152, N94185, Eastvale, CA, August 10, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2012, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Eastvale, CA - Coordinates: 33.9375, -117.570831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9375&lon=-117.5708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84628/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84628 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA350 ## Probable cause The failure of both pilots to ensure that no water was present in the fuel, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power and a forced off-field landing. ## 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 · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,696 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 315 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,696 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Approach: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, he was providing a check-out flight to the private pilot for the Cessna 152. The private pilot reported draining several ounces of water from the right wing fuel sump and gascolator during the preflight inspection and notified the instructor. The instructor requested additional fuel, and while they waited for the fuel truck to arrive, they continued to drain water from both wing tanks; the instructor estimated that they drained six or seven tubes of water from both wings. The airplane was refueled, and they waited about 10 minutes before sumping the fuel tanks again; they then sampled a couple of ounces of fuel from the right tank, which contained some water. They did not detect any additional water when they resampled the left fuel sump and gascolator. Both pilots reported that the engine run-up and takeoff were normal. They flew to the practice area and performed a series of maneuvers before returning to the departure airport for landing. The private pilot stated that about 3 miles southeast of the airport, the engine lost all power. The instructor then took the flight controls, trimmed the airplane for best glide, and continued toward the airport. Several attempts were made to restart the engine, and an emergency was declared to tower personnel. The instructor then landed the airplane in front of two fences; however, after landing the airplane impacted the second fence before nosing over and coming to rest inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, upon arrival at the accident site, noted that both wing fuel tanks had been compromised but that the wing fuel lines contained water. When a sample was taken from the gascolator, the FAA inspector reported that it contained 25 percent water. After a fuel source was supplied, the engine started and the power was manipulated through several cycles with no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the certified flight instructor’s (CFI) written statement, he was providing a check out flight for the Cessna 150/152 to the private pilot. During the preflight, the private pilot reported draining several ounces of water from the right wing fuel sump and gascolator, and notified the CFI. The CFI requested fuel, and while they waited for the fuel truck to arrive, they continued to drain water from both wing tanks; the CFI estimated that they drained 6 or 7 tubes of water from both wings. The airplane was refueled, and they waited approximately 10 minutes before sumping the fuel tanks again; they then sampled a couple of ounces of fuel from the right tank, which contained some water. The other left wing fuel sump and gascolator were sampled, with no additional water detected. Both pilots reported that the run up and takeoff were normal. They flew to the practice area and performed a series of maneuvers before returning to the departure airport for landing. The private pilot stated that about 3 miles southeast of the airport the engine quit. The CFI took the flight controls, trimmed the airplane for best glide, and continued on toward the airport. Several attempts were made to restart the engine and an emergency was declared to tower personnel. The CFI initiated a turn toward an open field for the emergency landing was initiated. The CFI identified telephone lines in the middle of the field; there was enough altitude for the airplane to clear the telephone lines, but that maneuver reduced the available landing distance. The CFI noted a tree line and dirt mound at the far end of the landing area, and decided to use two fences to slow the airplane. He landed the airplane in front of the two fences, after the airplane impacted the second fence; the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, upon arrival at the accident site, they noted that both wing fuel tanks had been compromised. They found that the wing fuel lines contained water. When a sample was taken from the gascolator, the FAA inspector reported that it contained 25-percent water. An engine run was performed; the engine started and the power was manipulated through several cycles with no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94185](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94185-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 15285615, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15285615 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: DuBois Aviation - Registered owner: Commercial Lending Resource INC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 47; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 2,100 total, 250 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 193 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: CNO, 4 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 20120810020599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120810020599A), Aug 10, 2012: Cessna 152, Eastvale, CA, Destroyed. On 08/10/2012 at 1010 hours, aircraft N94185 C-152 had an engine failure prior to final approach into chino airport after a training flight. Attempts to… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84628. 1.9 MB in all. - CFI Statement (item 1, .PDF, 892 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Master.PDF - Private Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 693 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Private%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Inspector Statement (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Inspector%20Statement%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Engine Run Results (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Run%20Results%20(FAA)-Redacted.PDF - Police Report (item 5, .PDF, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.