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CHI07CA161

2007-06-05 · Mc Clusky, North Dakota, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 7G2

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to check for fuel contamination during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to water contamination. Contributing factors to the accident included the rough/uneven field and the collapse of the main landing gear.

Factual narrative

The agricultural airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The pilot reported that after liftoff the engine began to experience a loss of power. The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport as the engine continued to lose power. The pilot elected to dump the airplane's chemical load prior to executing a forced landing in a field. The main landing gear separated from the airplane during the landing which resulted in wing and propeller damage. Subsequent to the accident, water contamination was found in the service tank used to fuel the accident airplane. Additionally, water contamination was found in the airplane's fuel system. The agricultural airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The pilot reported that after liftoff the engine began to experience a loss of power. The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport as the engine continued to lose power. The pilot elected to dump the airplane's chemical load prior to executing a forced landing in a field. The main landing gear separated from the airplane during the landing which resulted in wing and propeller damage. Subsequent to the accident, water contamination was found in the service tank used to fuel the accident airplane. Additionally, water contamination was found in the airplane's fuel system. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_CHI07CA161.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.