What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-02-03 involved a Cessna 175, registration N7141M, at Paris, AR.

Engine Power Loss During Ferry Flight Due to Fuel Contamination (N7141M)

On February 3, 1994, a Cessna 175 (registration N7141M) was involved in an aviation accident near Paris, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel contamination caused by rust and algae in the fuel tanks, resulting from prolonged aircraft inactivity and lack of recent maintenance. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A light aircraft lost engine power during initial climb on a ferry flight. Investigation found rust and algae in the fuel tanks after the plane sat unused for years.

What happened

The incident occurred during the initial climb phase of a ferry flight, which was undertaken specifically to transport the aircraft to a facility for repairs. Shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power, necessitating an immediate assessment of the situation by the crew.

The investigation

A thorough examination of the aircraft revealed significant maintenance and usage discrepancies. The last annual inspection had been completed in 1981, leaving the airframe without recent certified oversight. Furthermore, operational records indicated that the aircraft had not been flown for approximately one and a half years prior to this incident. Over the preceding thirteen-year period, total flight time was minimal, amounting to only about 30 hours.

Findings

The primary contributing factor was identified as fuel contamination. Physical evidence confirmed the presence of rust and algae within the fuel tanks. This degradation suggests that prolonged inactivity allowed moisture accumulation and biological growth, which subsequently compromised fuel flow or engine performance, leading to the power loss during the critical climb phase.

Probable cause

Loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel contamination caused by rust and algae in the fuel tanks, resulting from prolonged aircraft inactivity and lack of recent maintenance.

1994-02-03: Cessna 175 (N7141M) — Paris, AR