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| NTSB Identification: CHI92FA020. The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 45031. |
| Accident occurred Thursday, October 31, 1991 at ZION, IL |
| Aircraft: CESSNA 172P, registration: N5411K |
| Event: 20001212X18260 Status: Final Report Approved On Tuesday, December 15, 1992 |
| NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4) |
| THE SINGLE ENGINED AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND CLIMBING THROUGH CLOUDS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A
WITNESS HEARD AN AIRPLANE'S ENGINE POWER SURGING AND OBSERVED A BRIGHT FLASH AT GROUND LEVEL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.
ANOTHER WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE DESCENDING AND FLY PAST HIM JUST BEFORE SEEING A BRIGHT FLASH AND HEARING THE
CRASH. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK AN ELECTRICAL POWERLINE AND TREE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND AND SLIDING TO A STOP.
AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER IN THE CARBURETOR FLOAT AND ACCELERATOR PUMP CHAMBERS. THE COMMUTATOR
OF THE TURN AND SLIP INDICATOR'S ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS FOUND WITH A GROOVE WORN AROUND IT AND A BLACK POWDERY
SUBSTANCE PERMEATING THE INTERNAL MECHANISM OF THE INSTRUMENT. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PILOT, HE STATED THAT HE
HAD TAKEN A FUEL SAMPLE FROM EACH FUEL SUMP ON THE AIRPLANE DURING HIS PRE-FLIGHT WALK AROUND INSPECTION. THE PILOT
WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS.
|
| NTSB Probable Cause Narrative |
| WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT
WERE: DARKNESS AND OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES & TRANSMISSION LINES) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
|
| Occurrences and Sequence of Events |
| Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER |
| Phase of Operation: CLIMB - TO CRUISE |
| Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1 |
| 1 ( Cause ) FLUID, FUEL / CONTAMINATION / (0) |
| 2 ( Cause ) FLUID, FUEL / WATER / (0) |
| 3 ( Cause ) AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT / INADEQUATE / PILOT IN COMMAND |
| Occurrence: 2, FORCED LANDING |
| Phase of Operation: DESCENT - EMERGENCY |
| Occurrence: 3, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT |
| Phase of Operation: APPROACH |
| Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 3 |
| 1 ( Factor ) LIGHT CONDITION / DARK NIGHT / (0) |
| 2 ( Factor ) OBJECT / WIRE,TRANSMISSION / (0) |
| 3 ( Factor ) OBJECT / TREE(S) / (0) |
| Occurrence: 4, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN/WATER |
| Phase of Operation: DESCENT - UNCONTROLLED |
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