FREDERICK, MD, USA
N6773R
CESSNA T210F
THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN IN 11 MONTHS AND IT HAD BEEN 22 MONTHS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION. A SPECIAL PERMIT HAD BEEN ISSUED BY THE FAA TO ALLOW THE AIRPLANE TO BE FERRIED. THE FUEL TANKS HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED IN SEVERAL MONTHS. THE PILOT PREFLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE WITH A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC HAD INSPECTED THE AIRPLANE 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT AND RAN THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES. HE REMOVED DEBRIS FROM UNDER THE COWLING AND WATER FROM THE SUMPS. THE PILOT FOUND WATER IN THE DRAINS AND CONTINUED DRAINING THE SUMPS AND THE GASCOLATOR, UNTIL NO CONTAMINATION WAS OBSERVED. THE PILOT RAN THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, FOLLOWED BY A NORMAL TAKEOFF. AT 300 FEET AGL THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT TURNED TO A FORCED LANDING AREA. ENGINE POWER RETURNED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON SOD, ROLLED OUT, AND STRUCK A GRASS KNOLL. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER AND FUEL IN THE LINES AND 1 1/2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE GASCOLATOR. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY.
On Wednesday, October 6, 1993, at 1735 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T-210, N6773R, piloted by Brett Garner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Frederick Airport, Frederick, Maryland. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. The airplane annual inspection was overdue. A special flight permit had been issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow it to be ferried to another airport, where the inspection was to be conducted. The pilot was requested by his employer to ferry the airplane. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated the airplane was overdue its annual inspection and it had been inspected by Mr. John Wilson, an airframe and power plant mechanic. Mr. Wilson had told the pilot that he inspected the aircraft, and run the engine for approximately 40 minutes, two days prior to the flight. The pilot started his preflight around 4:45 PM. He was assisted by Mr. Wilson, who informed him that during his previous inspection, debris had been removed from under the cowling, and a small amount of water had been drained. During the pilot's preflight, water was found in some of the drains. The pilot continued draining the wings, belly fuel sumps, and the gascolator until no contamination was observed. The pilot started the airplane and ran the engine for approximately 10 minutes prior to performing the before take-off checks. He taxied onto the runway, held the brakes, applied full power, and the engine accelerated smoothly. The pilot's report also stated: "...the takeoff roll was normal...Climbing through approximately ...300 feet agl...the power smoothly decreased to zero...I verified ...the fuel selector...verified...the mixture...I selected a cornfield...and turned left to align the aircraft with that field...partial power smoothly returned and I was able to gain 200 feet...I was now at...400 feet agl...I decided to attempt a landing within the Frederick Airport perimeter... Approaching the airport...the power failed completely...I touched down...rolled out on the grass...Just prior to taxi way ...I applied back pressure to the yoke to help the nose wheel cross a grassy knoll. As the main wheels crossed the knoll the aircraft was propelled into the air. The subsequent landing sheared off the nose gear and the propeller dug into the ground..." The airplane records revealed that the last annual inspection was completed about 22 months prior to the accident and a total of 15 hours had been flown on the airplane since the last annual. The airplane had not flown in the previous 11 months. The airplane had not been serviced with fuel in several months. According to the FAA Inspector's report, the fuel line from the gascolator to the flow divider was empty of fuel and approximately 1 1/2 inches of water was found in the gascolator bowl. Water and fuel was also found in the fuel line from the reservoir tank to the gascolator. The report also stated, "Serviced engine with oil and performed a normal engine start."
The mechanic's inadequate inspection and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water-contaminated fuel, resulting in a loss of engine power and a forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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