Primary finding
Probable cause
fuel system contamination and the pilot's intentional operation of a known unairworthy aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he recently purchased the aircraft and was in the process of getting it into flyable condition so it could be moved to a maintenance facility at another airport. The pilot stated that after draining and refilling the fuel system several times, he believed that all water had been purged from the system. After a high speed taxi test the pilot decided to try one pattern circuit. Shortly after the takeoff, the engine quit completely. The aircraft had insufficient altitude to return to the airport and the pilot landed in a rock quarry. The airport manager said that the aircraft had been parked on the airport for 6 years, and to his knowledge had not flown in that time. The pilot told the fuel facility staff while he was purchasing 15 gallons of aviation gasoline in metal cans that he had drained a lot of water from the tanks and was still getting some. No records have been found of any annual inspection or other maintenance activity by aircraft mechanics on the aircraft since 1991. The FAA had not issued a ferry permit to move the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 23, 1996, at 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N7044T, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing in a rock quarry near the Cable airport, Upland, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power during the takeoff initial climb. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on an non-FAA sanctioned ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage in the collision sequence. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Chino, California. The pilot reported that he recently purchased the aircraft and was in the process of getting it into flyable condition so it could be moved to a maintenance facility at Chino. The pilot stated that after draining and refilling the fuel system several times, he believed that all water had been purged from the system. After a high speed taxi test the pilot decided to try one pattern circuit. Shortly after the takeoff, the engine quit completely. The aircraft had insufficient altitude to return to the airport and the pilot landed in a rock quarry. The Cable airport manager said in a telephone interview that the aircraft had been parked on the airport for 6 years and to his knowledge had not flown in that time. The pilot purchased the aircraft 2 weeks prior and had been observed draining the fuel tanks, running the engine on the ground, and preparing the aircraft for flight. The pilot told the fuel facility staff while he was purchasing 15 gallons of aviation gasoline in metal cans that he had "drained alot of water from the tanks and was still getting some." FAA inspectors examined the aircraft records. No records have been found of any annual inspection or other maintenance activity by aircraft mechanics on the aircraft since 1991. The FAA had not issued a ferry permit to move the aircraft. -