Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI89LA086

TECUMSEH, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N32340

PORTERFIELD CP-55

Analysis

WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE FLIGHT AT ABOUT 800 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AND SELECTED A NEWLY PLOWED FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING SITE. THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT SOIL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Probable Cause and Findings

PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OPERATINS, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN THE SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT, LOOSE SOIL DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND FLIPPED OVER.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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