ASRS 2024820
ACN 2024820 · 2023-08 · Cessna 150
C150 Flight Instructor reported the engine RPM became erratic during cruise and elected to divert to a nearby airport. The reporter had fueled at the departure airport and noticed traces of water during the preflight sumping but believed that all the water was removed with clean samples. However, a postflight sumping resulted in additional water being found and sumped out of the tank.
Pilot narrative
Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ,
X, Y.
The aircraft was fueled at the self-service pump from ZZZ. Traces of water were found during preflight sumping. It was believed that all water was removed with clean samples. During the cruise phase of flight, engine RPM became erratic. Carburetor heat was applied immediately and ATC was notified of the need to divert to the nearest airport, ZZZ1. After a safe descent and landing, additional water was sumped out of the wing tank. I believe the water had not fully settled after fueling, causing the issue in flight. Later I was informed of a notice from a FAA Safety Inspector regarding the potential fuel contaminants at the ZZZ FBO due to a lack of inspection of the fuel, fueling vehicles, safety equipment, and no documented training on their fueling personnel.
NASA classification · Anomalies
- Aircraft Equipment Problem
- Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural
- Ground Event / Encounter
- Inflight Event / Encounter
NASA classification · Assessments
- Contributing Factors / Situations
- Aircraft · Airport · Human Factors · Procedure
- Primary Problem
- Procedure
ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗