Cessna 177A N30413

Summary

On 20 February 2025 at about 17:30 local time, a Cessna 177A registered N30413, operated by Eagle Sky Patrol Inc, was involved in an accident near Farlinville, Kansas, 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 February 2025 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Farlinville, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

38.2535, -94.7900

Aircraft

Cessna 177A

Registration

N30413

Category

Airplane

Year built

1968

Engines

1

Operator

Eagle Sky Patrol Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bentonville → Olathe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA101

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power that resulted from fuel contamination when it was treated with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (antiseptic) that contained water. Contributing to the accident were vague fuel treatment instructions provided by the operator.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was descending the airplane to begin patrolling a section of pipeline when, without warning, the engine began to surge between low and high power. He diverted towards the nearest airport and began troubleshooting the issue. When it became apparent that he could not maintain altitude and would not make the diversion airport, he performed an off-airport landing in a field. During the landing the airplane struck a 3- to 4-foot-tall berm, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and fuselage. During the post-accident investigation, a significant amount of water was found in the inline strainer to the engine. Follow-up interviews with the fixed base operator and pilot revealed that the pilot treated the airplane’s fuel with a 70% isopropyl alcohol (antiseptic) solution before the accident flight. The pilot was unaware that the antiseptic also contained purified water. It is likely that the airplane’s fuel became contaminated with water from the antiseptic which resulted in the loss of engine power. Review of company documentation revealed vague instructions for treating the fuel with isopropyl alcohol. For example, the instructions stated to use one bottle per 25 gallons of fuel, but did not specify the size/volume of the bottle. Specific guidance for the accident airplane was found in the manufacturer’s service information letter. The letter stated it is permissible to use any high quality isopropyl alcohol, for example one meeting Federal Specification TT-I-735a. The letter stated the isopropyl alcohol may be blended with the fuel in a concentration not greater than 1% by volume.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.