Cessna 177A N39AE

Summary

On 20 September 1999 at about 18:39 local time, a Cessna 177A registered N39AE, operated by Michael Smith, was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, California, 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

20 September 1999 at 18:39

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Bear City, California, United States

Nearest airport

Big Bear City (L35)

Coordinates

34.2594, -116.8391

Aircraft

Cessna 177A

Registration

N39AE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Michael Smith

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA314

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination, which resulted from the mechanic's failure to fully inspect and verify the serviceability of the fuel system before returning the aircraft to service for a maintenance ferry flight. The pilot's decision to attempt flight with unresolved discrepancies in the reliability of the engine to produce power was a factor in the accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft was parked outside on the ramp for several months, with the fuel drains removed and the tanks drained. An A&P mechanic replaced the fuel drain in the right tank and added fuel for a maintenance ferry flight. The pilot performed a preflight and before takeoff checks. The engine stalled once during taxi, then began to miss and run roughly after takeoff. After returning, the pilot drained the fuel sumps and found a 'small amount of water' in the gascolator. He then drained an additional gallon of fuel from the tank without finding any additional water or sediment. After takeoff on the second flight, the engine began surging and then quit. When attempts to restart the engine failed, he turned back toward the airport but could not reach the runway and ditched the airplane in the water. The mechanic did not perform or offer to perform any additional troubleshooting procedures between the first and second flight. The inside of the gascolator was coated with an insoluble greenish-brown film. The left wing fuel quantity transmitter was coated with material that was similar in appearance to a non-silicon sealant. The material was decomposing and readily flaked off when touched. About 10cc of liquid was recovered from the fuel reservoir; about half was water, with a heavier sediment that was similar in color and consistency as to the material coating the fuel quantity transmitter. The above noted discrepancies were located in areas that would not be accessible or serviceable by a pilot performing a preflight inspection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.