Cessna 172N N733ZN

Summary

On 20 September 2023 at about 15:30 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N733ZN was involved in an accident near Compton, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 September 2023 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Compton, California, United States

Nearest airport

Compton-Woodle Airport (CPM)

Coordinates

33.8901, -118.2513

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N733ZN

Category

Airplane

Year built

1977

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

WPR23LA349

1 person had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, which resulted in water entering the fuel tanks through the filler caps.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane had not been flown for about 2 months, and due to the long period on the ground, the pilot planned to perform a test flight for the owner. The pilot completed a preflight inspection, which included confirming fuel levels and checking the fuel tanks for contaminants via the drain ports. The left main and nose gear tires were low, so he serviced them with air and then performed a series of engine run-ups, high-speed taxi tests, and takeoff rolls. The engine lost all power shortly after the first takeoff and the pilot performed a forced landing into a residential area just beyond the airport perimeter. Postaccident examination revealed significant quantities of water in the fuel system. It had rained during the two-week period leading up to the accident and the airplane had been stored outside. The airplane had only flown for a few hours over the 4 years leading up to the accident and showed significant evidence of corrosion and non-use; the fuel cap gaskets had degraded such that an adequate seal was not possible. Although the pilot did not find water in the fuel tanks before the flight, examination revealed evidence of long-standing water contamination at the fuel tanks in an area away from the drain port. Given the general poor condition of the airplane and the evidence of water contamination, it is likely that the airplane was not sitting level for significant periods, possibly due to a deflated nose strut in combination with the two low tires. As such, it is likely that water had settled away from the drain ports when the pilot checked for contamination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.