Summary
On March 26, 1999, a Cessna 172 (N8968B) was involved in an accident near Florala, AL. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION WITH WATER.
On March 26, 1999, about 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N8968B, collided with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing at Florala Municipal Airport, in Florala, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight originated from Florala, Alabama at 1527.
According to the pilot, the airplane had been parked on the ramp for several days, and it had rained the day before the accident.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ATL99LA059. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8968B.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION WITH WATER.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 26, 1999, about 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N8968B, collided with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing at Florala Municipal Airport, in Florala, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight originated from Florala, Alabama at 1527.
According to the pilot, the airplane had been parked on the ramp for several days, and it had rained the day before the accident. During the preflight inspection the pilot stated he had taken fuel samples from both fuel tanks and found no water or other contamination. After the preflight examination, the flight departed on runway 04. The pilot turned downwind, and had started a turn to left base when the engine lost power and sputtered. The pilot activated the carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks before returning the fuel selector to both. The engine continued to sputter. While attempting to return to runway 04, the airplane collided with trees approximately 50 feet south of the airport.
Examination of the airplane disclosed that a quantity of water was in the fuel tanks. The pilot did not report or experience a loss of engine power until he started a left descending turn for the base leg of the traffic pattern.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL99LA059