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NTSB Identification: NYC00LA223. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Wednesday, August 09, 2000 at BRIDGEWATER, MA

Aircraft: Cessna 150, registration: N51181

Injuries: 2 Uninjured



Event: 20001212X21836 Status: Final Report Approved On Thursday, April 19, 2001



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On August 9, 2000, about 1210 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 150, N51181, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near

Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The pilot-in-command (PIC) and the pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions

prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91



During a telephone interview, the PIC stated that the pilot rated passenger was a mechanic who had completed an annual inspection on the

accident airplane. The mechanic wanted to take the airplane for a test flight, but did not have a current medical certificate. Therefore, the

mechanic asked the PIC to accompany him on the flight.



While performing a preflight inspection of the airplane, the PIC "sumped" the fuel tanks and noticed water in the fuel. He kept "sumping" the

tanks, until no water was present. Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, about 3,000 feet, the engine lost all power. The PIC performed a

forced landing to a field, and the airplane came to rest inverted in a ditch.



During a telephone interview, the mechanic stated that prior to the annual inspection, the airplane had not flown for approximately 3 years.

During those 3 years, the fuel tanks were approximately half full. The mechanic checked the main fuel strainer during the annual inspection, and

did not observe any debris or contamination.



About 2 weeks before the accident flight, the mechanic completely filled the tanks with fuel. After the fueling, the engine would not start. The

mechanic drained all the fuel, and refueled the tanks to capacity, but he did not recheck the main fuel strainer. After the accident, he believed

that there was water in the fuel tanks that was "stirred up" during those two fuelings.



Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The

inspector observed fuel contamination in the main fuel strainer and carburetor.



NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



Prior to the annual inspection, the airplane had not flown for approximately 3 years, and the fuel tanks were left half-full. During the annual

inspection, the mechanic checked the main fuel strainer, and did not observe any contamination. After the inspection, the mechanic completely

filled the fuel tanks, but the engine would not start. He then drained the tanks and refueled them; however, he did not recheck the main fuel

strainer. The pilot-in-command stated that he sumped the fuel tanks during the preflight inspection, and found some water. He kept sumping the

tanks until he could not see any water. About 20 minutes after departure, the engine lost all power, and the pilot-in-command performed a

forced landing to a field. During the landing in high grass, the airplane struck a ditch and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage by

a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel was contaminated with water and debris.



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



The mechanic's inadequate annual inspection, which resulted in a departure with fuel contamination. A factor was the pilot-in-command's

inadequate preflight inspection.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER(TOTAL) - NONMECHANICAL

Phase of Operation: CRUISE



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1

1 (Finding) FLUID, FUEL / CONTAMINATION / (0)

2 ( Cause ) MAINTENANCE, ANNUAL INSPECTION / INADEQUATE / OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL

3 ( Factor ) AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT / INADEQUATE / PILOT IN COMMAND



Occurrence: 2, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN/WATER

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY LANDING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 2

4 (Finding) TERRAIN CONDITIONS / HIGH VEGETATION / (0)

5 (Finding) TERRAIN CONDITIONS / DITCH / (0)


 

 

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