Incident Overview
An aircraft experienced an engine failure during final approach. The event was preceded by a known history of engine problems related to water in the fuel system. On February 8, 1982, significant quantities of water were detected in the fuel system.
Post-Crash Examination
Post-crash examination confirmed the presence of water in the fuel system. The water had entered through a leaking fuel cap. Further analysis revealed that the fuel bladder's internal design—specifically ridges and walls at the bottom—prevented the water from being drained.
Test Results
Testing demonstrated that water could not be drained from the system due to these ridges and walls, which trapped the water. Additionally, the dihedral and angle of incidence of high-wing Cessna aircraft prevented the water from overcoming these ridges and flowing to the designated drain points in the wings.
Safety Recommendations
In response to this and similar issues, the National Transportation Safety Board issued safety recommendations addressing the problem of water accumulation in fuel systems of high-wing aircraft.