Cessna 182F N3240U

Summary

On 14 November 1998 at about 17:15 local time, a Cessna 182F registered N3240U was involved in an accident near Wichita, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 1998 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Wichita, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

37.7493, -97.2803

Aircraft

Cessna 182F

Registration

N3240U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI99FA029

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and contaminated fuel supply.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A Cessna 182F impacted terrain while towing a glider on initial climb out from a private airstrip. The glider pilot reported that the tow plane pilot had taxied to and from an overhead fuel tank for refueling the aircraft; the engine was then started 30-40 minutes later for departure. The glider pilot stated that at an altitude of 100-150 feet, there was an audible drop in engine noise. In describing his fuelling procedures, the glider pilot stated that he had tried to open a petcock valve at the bottom of the overhead tank but found it difficult to turn and attempted to drain from it only once. Trees which exhibited scarring on branches which were approximately 3 inches in diameter along with the aircraft's left wingtip were noted to be 36 feet northeast of the main wreckage. The left wing's leading edge had a 4 inch wide impression located 4 feet outboard from the its wing root. Approximately 4 oz of water from the left wing tank, 21-1/2 oz of water from the right wing tank and 4-1/2 oz of water from the carburetor bowl was found. The left and right fuel screens were unobstructed. The fuel selector was at the 'BOTH' position. Samples from the fuel tank showed the presence of water when the tank sump, fuel line sump and fuel hose were drained. The fuel level within the fuel storage tank was estimated to be 1/4 full. The internal wall of the tank was rusted. There was a petcock on the bottom of the tank along with a clear fuel sump drain inline with the hose.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.