Home Documents Images Message Board
(Use your browser's back button to return to the page that you were previously viewing.)

 

 


NTSB Identification: ATL99LA034. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Monday, December 14, 1998 at SHELBYVILLE, TN

Aircraft: Cessna 152, registration: N5144B

Injuries: 1 Uninjured



Event: 20001211X11516 Status: Final Report Approved On Friday, March 31, 2000



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On December 14, 1998, at 1000 Central Standard Time, a Cessna 152, N5144B, registered to Middle Tennessee State University, collided with

the ground, according to the student pilot's flight instructor, during an attempted forced landing ten miles south of Shelbyville, Tennessee. The

instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91. The student pilot had filed a flight plan for the solo cross-country flight.

An examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that the airframe had sustained substantial structural damage. According to the

flight instructor, the student pilot was not injured. The flight departed Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at 0915.



The student pilot reported that, approximately forty-five minutes into the flight, the engine rpm dropped. The student pilot pulled the throttle lever to

the idle position, and applied carburetor heat. The engine rpm continued to drop, and the engine subsequently quit. Attempts by the student pilot

to restore full engine power, failed (see attached pilot aircraft accident report). The student pilot selected an open field for an emergency

landing. During the landing attempt, the nose wheel assembly sustained structural damage.



Examination of the airplane disclosed that the nose gear assembly had sheared off and, that the engine firewall had sustained impact damage.

The examination also revealed that a fuel line in the vicinity of the chin cowling had also ruptured and an unknown quantity of fuel was spilled.

Approximately a quart of liquid was recovered from the fuel system; 90% of the liquid was clear water. Water was also discovered in the

carburetor bowl, and the filter assembly.



Reportedly the airplane was refueled about two days before the accident, and subsequent to the refueling, the area experienced severe

thunderstorm activity. Security of the fuel caps after the refueling was not confirmed. The pilot did not report checking and securing the fuel

caps during the preflight inspection.



NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



The student pilot reported that approximately forty-five minutes into the flight, the engine rpm dropped and subsequently lost power. Attempts by

the student pilot to restore full engine power, failed. The student pilot made an emergency landing in an open field. Examination of the airplane

disclosed that the nose gear assembly had sheared off and, that the engine firewall had sustained impact damage. The examination also

revealed that a fuel line in the vicinity of the chin cowling had also ruptured and an unknown quantity of fuel was spilled. Approximately a quart

of liquid was recovered from the fuel system; 90% of the liquid was clear water. Water was also discovered in the carburetor bowl, and the

filter assembly. Reportedly the airplane was refueled about two days before the accident, and subsequent to the refueling, the area

experienced severe thunderstorm activity. Security of the fuel caps after the refueling was not confirmed. The pilot did not report checking and

securing the fuel caps during the preflight inspection.



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



Water contamination of the fuel supply, resulting from the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER

Phase of Operation: CRUISE



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1

1 ( Cause ) FLUID, FUEL / CONTAMINATION, WATER / (0)

2 ( Cause ) AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT / INADEQUATE / PILOT IN COMMAND



Occurrence: 2, FORCED LANDING

Phase of Operation: DESCENT - EMERGENCY



Occurrence: 3, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN/WATER

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 3

1 (Finding) TERRAIN CONDITIONS / GROUND / (0)


 

 

Home Documents Images Message Board
(Use your browser's back button to return to the page that you were previously viewing.)