Cessna 140A N5351C

Summary

On 26 February 2011 at about 20:45 local time, a Cessna 140A registered N5351C, operated by Morris Kenneth E, was involved in an accident near Newark, 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

26 February 2011 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Newark, California, United States

Coordinates

37.4997, -122.1017

Aircraft

Cessna 140A

Registration

N5351C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Morris Kenneth E

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palo Alto → Victorville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA150

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection to identify and remove the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had just purchased the airplane. Prior to the flight, he completed a preflight inspection, which included filling the fuel tanks and then draining the fuel sump points and looking for water. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. A postaccident engine examination found water in the carburetor bowl. The estimated quantity of water was about 3/4 ounce. Evidence of water was also found in the gascolator. At the conclusion of the engine examination, no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.