Cessna 337G accident near Point Lookout, Missouri, July 6, 2008
On July 6, 2008 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Cessna 337G, registered N53661, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Point Lookout, Missouri (M Graham Clark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A fuel flange seal leak and water in the fuel resulting in a loss of engine power during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 6, 2008 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Point Lookout, Missouri · M Graham Clark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 337G · all 337Gs on the register
- Registration
- N53661 · no longer on the register · serial 33701763
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Heavy rains and thunderstorms were present over the airport the three days prior to the accident. The pilot identified water in the left fuel tank during preflight and sumped the tank until he no longer saw any water. During the takeoff, as the main wheels were lifting off, the forward engine quit. Unable to climb, the pilot aborted the takeoff and shutdown both engines, but was unable to stop the airplane before the airplane went off the end of the runway and down a steep, rocky embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing spar was bent up and both wings rear attach points were broken. Water was found in the left fuel tank and forward engine fuel system. A broken seal was found around the recessed fuel fill port adapter plate and filler flange.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Fuel contamination during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Damaged/degraded
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land
- Flight time: 1,417 hours in all; 1,166 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,347 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,448 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 4,630 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO360G (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO360G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Point Lookout MO at 4:15 pm
- Destination: IGQ Lansing Mun Apt IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,739 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.