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NTSB Report

August 29, 2025 · Cessna 172 H · N1607F

New Smyrna Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 2025
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172 H (1966)
Tail Number
N1607F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA25LA324

The pilot/owner stated she had recently purchased the airplane and that during the preflight inspection, had found water in the fuel tanks. She then drained fuel from the sumps until no water was observed. Engine start, taxi, run up, and one circuit of the traffic pattern were uneventful. After completing a touch-and-go landing, during initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead and transferred control of the airplane to the pilot in the right seat. When he cycled the throttle from idle to full the engine sputtered before losing power again. The airplane subsequently struck a fence, nosed over, and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane found water in the fuel lines from the right wing fuel tank, in the strainer, and in the carburetor bowl. The fuel filler caps, and filler necks were corroded and the mechanic who had last performed maintenance on the airplane reported that he had removed water from the airplane’s fuel system and had changed the gaskets on the fuel tank caps one month prior to the accident. No maintenance log entries documenting this work were found in the supplied maintenance logbooks; the last entry was for the annual inspection completed about 9 months before the accident. Fueling records showed the airplane had last been fueled about 5 months before the accident. The examination otherwise found no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. Based on this information, the loss of engine power was likely the result of water contamination of the airplane’s fuel system that had not been detected or addressed by the mechanic.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect and address water contamination of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb.

Full Narrative

The pilot/owner stated she had recently purchased the airplane and that during the preflight inspection, had found water in the fuel tanks. She then drained fuel from the sumps until no water was observed. Engine start, taxi, run up, and one circuit of the traffic pattern were uneventful. After completing a touch-and-go landing, during initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead and transferred control of the airplane to the pilot in the right seat. When he cycled the throttle from idle to full the engine sputtered before losing power again. The airplane subsequently struck a fence, nosed over, and came to reset inverted resulting in substantial to the airplane’s fuselage and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane found water in the fuel lines from the right wing fuel tank, in the strainer, and in the carburetor bowl. The fuel filler caps, and filler necks were corroded and the mechanic who had last performed maintenance on the airplane reported that he had removed water from the airplane’s fuel system and had changed the gaskets on the fuel tank caps one month prior to the accident. No maintenance log entries documenting this work were found in the supplied maintenance logbooks; the last entry was for the annual inspection completed about 9 months before the accident. Fueling records showed the airplane had last been fueled about 5 months before the accident. The examination otherwise found no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. Based on this information, the loss of engine power was likely the result of water contamination of the airplane’s fuel system that had not been detected or addressed by the mechanic.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:27 EDT
Nearest AirportNew Smyrna Beach Muni (Jack Bo (0.5nm W)
Runway29
Runway Length4319 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 H
Tail NumberN1607F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental Motors · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 27 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time10:27
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data