FYI

PILOT’S WORST NIGHTMARE:  WATER IN THE FUEL 

NTSB Identification: FTW04LA081
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 22, 2004 in Claremore, OK
Aircraft: Cessna 182A
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 Uninjured.

On February 22, 2004, at 1600 Central Standard Time, a Cessna 182A single-engine airplane, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the Sam Riggs Airpark (K11), near Claremore, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. One passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he taxied to runway 22 (a 2,760 foot long by 35 foot wide turf runway), performed an engine run up, and noted everything was normal. After departure, at an altitude of approximately 500 feet AGL, the engine "lost most of its power output." The pilot stated he applied carburetor heat and did not notice improvement. He banked the airplane slightly to the right to avoid an approaching tree line and initiated an emergency landing to an open grass field. Subsequently, the airplane's right wingtip stuck the ground. The left main landing gear dug into soft ground. The airplane then "made a small hop" to the left, and impacted the ground on its left side, and came to rest in an upright position.

Examination of the airplane, by the airplane manufacturer revealed the left wing, outboard of the wing lift strut was bent upwards approximately 45 degrees. The right wing was bent upwards approximately three degrees, one foot inboard from the wing tip. The nose wheel landing gear was separated. The engine was separated from all its mounts. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed water in the carburetor bowl and both wing fuel tanks.

VFR FLIGHT INTO IFR CONDITIONS 

NTSB Identification: FTW04FA079
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 22, 2004 in Valley Springs, TX
Aircraft: Cessna 210N

Injuries: 1 Fatal. 

On February 22, 2004, approximately 1045 Central Standard Time, a Cessna 210N single-engine airplane, was destroyed upon impact with terrain while maneuvering near Valley Springs, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Midland International Airport (MAF), near Midland, Texas, approximately 0915, and was destined for Sugarland Regional Airport (SGR), near Sugarland, Texas.

A preliminary review of voice communications revealed that the pilot had obtained two weather briefings from the San Angelo Flight Service Station (AFSS), San Angelo, Texas, prior to departure. The pilot reported that he was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) and his route of flight would be from Midland to San Angelo to Burnett to Sugarland, Texas, at an altitude of 5, 500 feet mean seal level (MSL). He planned to depart about 1000.

The first weather briefing was obtained at 0651, at which time, the briefer reported that an AIRMET for instrument flight rules (IFR) was in affect and VFR flight was not recommended across the proposed route of flight. The briefer informed the pilot that the AIRMET for IFR conditions would continue beyond 0900 and end at 1200. The pilot told the briefer that he would call back prior to his departure for another weather briefing.

The second weather briefing was obtained at 0851. The pilot asked for an update to the AIRMET, and wanted to know if it was still in effect. The briefer responded that an update for the AIRMET was not available and to call back in 15 minutes. The pilot then requested weather information for airports along the route of flight. At the end of the briefing, the briefer advised the pilot to contact Flight Service on 122.6 for updated weather information.

A preliminary review of Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications revealed that the pilot did not request weather advisories during the flight.

A preliminary review of radar data revealed a target emitting a VFR transponder beacon code traveling southeast bound from Midland toward Valley Springs, Texas. Examination of the last one minute of data revealed the target was at an altitude of 5,400 feet msl, on a heading of 102 degrees at 158 knots, when it made a right 180-degree turn, before the data ended at 1039. The last radar return was approximately 30 degrees, 52 minutes north latitude, and 098 degrees, 46 minutes west longitude, and at an altitude of 5,300 feet msl.

A witness was standing outside his home located about 1-mile north of the accident site when he heard a small airplane approaching from the south-southeast. He said the airplane was traveling in a west to northwest direction, and seemed to be having engine trouble because it was "speeding up then throttling back." The witness listened to the airplane for approximately one minute, and recalled that the engine noise seemed to get worse because it began to "spit and spudder." Suddenly, the engine "revved" really high then shut off for a split second, followed by a loud explosion, "thud" and smoke. The witness said the weather conditions at the time were light drizzle, haze, limited visibility, and that it had been raining, but had "just let up." He stated that the airplane sounded like it was circling, because it stayed in the area for a few minutes. The witness called 911at 1045.

The wreckage came to rest on private property, fragmented along rolling terrain, with brush and trees, at a field elevation of approximately 1,400 feet. The initial impact point was a small crater that was approximately 1-2 feet deep. All three propeller blades, the piston dome and propeller spinner were separated from the engine and were embedded in the crater. The main wreckage, which included the firewall, cockpit area, right wing, carry thru spar and portion of the left wing spar, and empennage, were located about 80 feet forward of the initial impact point and sustained post impact fire damage. The engine was located approximately 10 feet to the left of the main wreckage. The flaps and landing gear were found in the retracted position.

Weather conditions at Burnett Municipal Airport (BMQ), near Burnett, Texas, 22 nautical miles west of the accident site, at 1016, were reported as winds from 090 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, overcast skies at 6,500 feet, and ceiling broken at 2,600 feet. At 1053, the weather at BMQ reported winds from120 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 9 statue miles, overcast skies at 5,500 feet, and ceiling broken at 3,800 feet.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. Examination of his logbooks revealed he had accumulated a total of 580.1 flight hours, of which 1.3 hours were in actual instrument conditions and were conducted under the supervision of a certified flight instructor (CFI).