Cessna 150L N21993

Summary

On 21 March 1997 at about 16:00 local time, a Cessna 150L registered N21993 was involved in an accident near Nogales, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 March 1997 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Nogales, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

31.4496, -110.8297

Aircraft

Cessna 150L

Registration

N21993

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tucson → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX97LA129

Nobody was injured.

Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination resulting from the pilot's inadequate fuel storage and filtering procedures.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that the power dropped, then returned to cruise rpm. About 30 to 40 seconds later the engine lost power again, regained power, and then dropped again. This cycle was repeated seven or eight times, with the pilot performing the emergency checklist procedures. The engine then stopped completely and the pilot made a forced landing during which the aircraft collided with trees. An engine run-up was conducted by an FAA inspector with no mechanical abnormalities found. The FAA inspector stated that a fuel sample was retrieved from the aircraft fuel tanks at the accident scene and appeared to be contaminated. As viewed, the sample had some water and debris in it, and was yellow in color. Particles of rust were also noted in the sample. The inspector reviewed the maintenance records and found that the owner had obtained an STC to use auto fuel in this aircraft. He reported that 'the sample smelled like a mixture of auto fuel and aviation fuel. . .[and]. . .neither of these fuels are yellow in color.' The aircraft owner/pilot stated to the inspector that he has a barrel of fuel at his hangar from which he refuels the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.