The pilot of the Cub Crafters CCK was on approach to landing at an airport in Cookson, Okla., when the engine lost power. His attempt to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and he lacked enough altitude to glide to the runway, so he attempted to make a forced landing on a narrow gravel road.
The left wing hit the top of a tree and the airplane spun around and crashed.
The post-accident examination revealed water in the fuel, in the carburetor, and in the storage supply tank. The pilot surmised that the water was likely due to recent heavy rain showers.
He admitted he failed to check the fuel when he preflighted the airplane, and overlooked checking the fuel storage tank’s fuel filter/water separator.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as a total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to check the fuel during the preflight, and failure to check the fuel storage tank’s fuel filter/water separator.
NTSB Identification: CEN13CA315
This June 2015 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.
Part 141 flight schools teach small plane pilots stabilized approaches with about 3 miles long finals…….Close the throttle on downwind at the numbers, you should adjust your base and final to make sure you can make the runway in the event the engine quits. Part 141 should teach it both ways.
Duh, Hello! Airplane tied down outside? Heavy rain preceding next flight and there was no preflight check of the fuel drains for water contamination? If this pilot wouldn’t do the needed preflight check for water contamination under those circumstances then it can be assumed that he probably hadn’t performed the check for a long time. Bet he will in the future.
I know a pilot who never does a preflight on his plane. Several years ago he taxied to the runway only to discover he had a flat tire. He called for someone to come air it up so he could taxi back and on the way back to the tie down area he ran out of fuel. Does he now do a preflight you ask? No!