HUNTSVILLE, AL, USA
N30365
CESSNA 177A
THE ACFT HAD SET ON THE RAMP WITH LITTLE FUEL IN IT FOR APRX ONE WEEK. JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE PILOT TOOK FUEL SAMPLES, BUT FOUND NO WATER. HE THEN TAXIED TO THE FUEL PUMPS AND ADDED APRX 20 GAL OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. ANOTHER FUEL SAMPLE WAS NOT TAKEN. THE PLT THEN TAXIED TO THE RWY FOR TAKE OFF. AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS FULL OF WATER. THE FUEL TANK CAPS WERE CHECKED & DID NOT LEAK. THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS CHECKED & FOUND TO HAVE NO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE TANKS HAD NOT ONLY BEEN EMPTY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, BUT THERE REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN A LARGE VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLT. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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