MCKINNON, WY, USA
N6089A
CESSNA 172
SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE RPM BEGAN DROPPING/FLUCTUATING AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REACH A NEARBY HIGHWAY TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING HE COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF SEVERAL SMALL TREES AND WHILE ROLLING OUT OVER UNEVEN TERRAIN THE AIRCRAFT PASSED THROUGH A FENCE AND THE NOSE LANDING GEAR STRUT SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE FUEL DRAINED FROM THE GASCOLATOR AS WELL AS WATER IN THE PILOT'S ABOVE GROUND AUTO GAS STORAGE TANK. STANDARD CESSNA 172 PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES CALL FOR THE DRAINING OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL STRAINER TO CHECK FOR PRESENCE OF WATER AND SEDIMENT.
WATER IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM WHICH WAS NOT PURGED AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TREES, A FENCE AND THE UNEVEN TERRAIN CONDITION DURING THE LANDING AND ROLLOUT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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