Event NYC00LA121

Factual narrative

On April 25, 2000, about 2020 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 150D, N4182U, was substantially damaged when it collided with an electrical wire during a forced landing, just after takeoff from Red Stewart Airfield (40I), Waynesville, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the flight, between Waynesville and Cincinnati West Airport (I67), Harrison, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the flight was the second one of the day. During the preflight for the first flight, he found water in the "right [fuel] tank and engine compartment sump; drained until completely clear." He started up the airplane, and completed his run-up checks. He then flew the airplane 39 statute miles without any problems, landed, and shut down the engine for approximately 20 minutes. He then restarted the engine, taxied to the runway, and made a full-throttle, soft-field takeoff. During the takeoff run, the engine sounded like it was producing full power, but the airplane appeared to take longer than normal to build up airspeed. Once airborne, about 75 to 100 feet, the engine sputtered, then quit. There wasn't enough time for a restart, and there were trees and houses ahead, so the pilot turned about 90 degrees to the left, towards a field between some power lines and a highway. Approaching the field, the airplane's landing gear hit the top power line, and the airplane stalled, then dropped from a height of about 25 feet. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane flipped over. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane had about 15 gallons of fuel remaining onboard after the accident, but the engine could not be run due to carburetor damage. The inspector drained the carburetor bowl, and found about 4 ounces of liquid, all of which, was water. Also according to the inspector, the pilot stated he had previously had problems with water in the fuel system. During the pilot's preflight, he found water in the right fuel tank and sump, which he drained until they were completely free of the water. He then started up the airplane, went through all the ground checks, and flew the airplane about 39 statute miles without any problems. He landed the airplane, and shut down the engine for approximately 20 minutes. He then restarted the engine, taxied the airplane to the runway, and made a full-throttle, soft-field takeoff. During the takeoff run, the engine sounded like it was making full power, but the airplane appeared to take longer than normal to build up airspeed. Once airborne, about 75 to 100 feet, the engine sputtered, then quit. Approaching an open field, the airplane's landing gear hit an electrical power line. The airplane stalled, then dropped from a height of about 25 feet. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane flipped over. During a post-accident inspection, about 4 ounces of liquid were found in the carburetor bowl, all of which, was water. The pilot stated that he had previously had problems with water in the fuel system. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12