History of Flight
On July 6, 2008, at approximately 1115 Central Daylight Time, a Cessna 337G twin-engine airplane, registration N53661, impacted terrain after losing power on one engine while taking off from Taney County Airport (PLK) in Point Lookout, Missouri. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The cross-country flight was destined for Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ) in Chicago, Illinois.
The pilot reported that several days of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms preceded the accident, and he had spent significant time sumping water from the left wing tank. Preflight engine run-up and magneto check were normal. During takeoff, just as the main landing gear were lifting off, the front engine quit. The pilot lowered the nose and aborted the takeoff, shutting down both engines and applying maximum braking. He was unable to stop the airplane before the end of the runway, and it went over a steep, rocky embankment.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with multi-engine land airplane rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on December 1, 2006, with no limitations. According to his NTSB Form 6120.1, he had a total flight time of 1,417 hours, with 1,166 hours in the same make and model. He logged 5 hours in the previous 90 days and 4 hours in the previous 30 days. His last flight review was completed on November 20, 2006.
Aircraft Information
The 1976-model Cessna 337G, serial number 33701763, was a high-wing, semi-monocoque airplane with retractable tricycle landing gear and configured for six occupants. It was powered by two Continental IO-360 horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, six-cylinder engines, each rated at 210 horsepower, driving constant-speed propellers. The airframe logbook indicated the most recent annual inspection was completed on July 6, 2007, at a total airframe time of 1,431.5 hours. At the accident, the airframe had accumulated approximately 1,448 hours, with 16.5 hours since the last inspection. The engine logbook showed the engine had been inspected in accordance with an annual inspection on July 6, 2007.
Meteorological Information
At 11:53 Central Daylight Time, the weather observation facility at Harrison, Arkansas (HRO) reported wind variable at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 9,000 feet, temperature 86°F, dew point 71°F, and barometric pressure 29.99 inches of Mercury.
Airport Information
Taney County Airport was an uncontrolled airport operating under Class E airspace. Field elevation was 938 feet mean sea level. Runway 29 was 3,739 feet long and 100 feet wide, with a grooved asphalt surface.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Federal Aviation Administration investigators documented the wreckage at the site. The airplane was located on a steep, rocky hillside approximately 100 feet west of the departure end of Runway 29. The airplane was intact, and all major components were accounted for.
Inspection revealed water in the left fuel tank and in the forward engine fuel system, including the forward engine gascolator/strainer and the forward engine fuel distribution valve. The right wing tank was compromised during recovery and fuel was lost. No water was found in the rear engine gascolator/strainer or rear engine fuel distribution valve. The fuel fill ports and caps were recessed below the surface of the upper wing. When water was placed in the recessed area of the left wing fuel fill port, water was observed leaking into the left fuel tank through the adapter plate and filler flange seal. The engines demonstrated good compression at each cylinder and electrical current to each spark plug. Both magnetos produced spark when turned by hand.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot and front seat passenger received minor facial injuries during the accident sequence. The pilot's injuries included bruising, cuts requiring stitches, and a broken nose.