CENTREVILLE, AL, USA
N70RS
CESSNA 172
THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING TURNS. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT DIRT DURING THE LDG AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT ATTRIBUTED THE PWR LOSS TO WATER IN THE FUEL. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD DRAINED ABOUT 1 PINT OF WATER FROM ONE OF THE TANKS DURING PRE-FLT INSPECTION, AND THAT HE ROCKED THE WINGS AND LOWERED THE TAIL DURING THE INSPECTION IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE ALL REMAINING WATER. THE STUDENT NOTED THAT A LOT OF RAIN HAD FALLEN OVER THE PRECEDING 2 WEEKS, AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE WITH LESS-THAN-FULL TANKS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE MISHAP REPORTED THAT HE FOUND WATER IN THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL TANK FILLER-CAP GASKETS WERE INTACT AND PLIABLE.
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE ALL REMAINING WATER FROM THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM DURING PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH LED TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
