This April 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 152. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Okeechobee, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot departed on a cross-country flight with the intention of stopping at several airports along the way. She did a touch-and-go landing at one airport, and made a full stop landing at the next airport. The airplane was serviced with six gallons of fuel, and she departed for her original airport. About 10 minutes after taking off, the engine lost power. She followed the published emergency procedures but was unable to restart the engine. She landed the airplane on a road, but it nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position, resulting in substantial damage.
Examination by an FAA inspector revealed no obvious mechanical deficiencies with the engine. The inspector also saw that the gascolator contained a significant amount of water. The pilot stated that she drained the fuel tank sumps or gascolator before takeoff from the departure airport but did not do so after the airplane was refueled.
Probable cause: The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
For more information: NTSB.gov
Well, we can say that this one had a happy ending, but others did not. For that I learned, from others mistakes, that I HAVE TO CHECK EVERYTHING BY MYSELF, ALL THE TIMES. when something will hapen up in the skyes, no one else will be their to blame. and Bertil, I liked your refueling sequence.
As a mechanic friend said years ago to me; “Bert, I think we buy more water than we produce ourselves!”
It takes 15 minutes for water to settle per foot of fuel. About the height of your C-152 tank. The correct
sequence for refueling is; 1, ask to be refueled 2, make sure the correct fuel truck is brought to your airplane 3, visit the restroom 4, wash your hands 5, check with flight service on the conditions for the
remainder of the flight 6, have a snack 7, pay for the fuel 8, go check the aircraft for correct grade and
quantity 9, make sure the fuel caps are on tight 10, sump the drains.
Interesting story. One assumes that water vapor condensation will result in water in the gas tanks, but most people never think that the water will be pumped into your tanks during filling. Even with all of the filtration on pumps dispensing avgas, it’s something to be aware of. Even I have occasionally pumped gas into the plane on a trip and not checked for water. Not anymore!
Gentlemen,
I do not want anybody to think that I am terying to excuse my fellow pilot for not draining the low point agter refvueling, but
as I see it we pilots are Gods only children and will never make a mistake . Better yet any mistake that anybody else makes while we are arouond will be blamed by us, irregardless of what.
Please, we are human and every once in a while we err. we should look at every body in detail not only at pilots. I am bnot feeling sorry for myself or persecuted by anybody, but I have been flyng commercial for 52 years and still am and HAVE I BEEN BLAMED FOR A LOT OF THINGS THAT IN WASN’T INVOLVED IN, I was only around but still had to explain myself, since I was more experienced I could have prevented him(pilot) from making amistake.
I am sorry guys but shouldnt the FAA look sharply at the fuel provider?? Mr. FAA I dont want to portray like I am against the FAA, which am not, but please look to the right person not all the time at the pilot. The law says that in an incident not one person connected is blameless.
Thank you guys for taking up your time with this, THOUGHTS.
Hane a nice day and happy flying.