NTSB MKC90LA028 — 1989-11-11 · PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, United States

N95177 has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (INDY AIRCRAFT LTD T-BIRD II, built 2008), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

N95177 Piper PA-28-140 None

Probable cause & findings

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.

Factual narrative

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A RICE FIELD ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF ABOUT ONE GALLON OF WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ACFT HAD JUST BEEN REFUELED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1989_MKC90LA028.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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