# NTSB ATL85LA130: Cessna 140, N89128, Hawesville, KY, March 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Hawesville, KY
- Coordinates: 37.89046, -86.750816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8905&lon=-86.7508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA130

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A FLT FROM LORDSBURG, NM, TO MANSFIELD, OH, AND COULD NOT FIND HANCOCK COUNTY AIRPORT, HAWESVILLE, KY. WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT SAID THAT HE PLANNED TO REFUEL AT HANCOCK CO. AIRPORT, BUT GOT CAUGHT ABOVE A CLOUD LAYER AND COULD NO FIND THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89128](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89128), registered now, S/N 8136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8136
- Airframe hours: 1992
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Kemp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: LORDSBURG, NM
- Destination: HAWESVILLE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 3 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850302013189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302013189A), Mar 2, 1985: Cessna 140, Hawesville, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran out of fuel while searching for airport in hazy conditions. Aircraft out of annual.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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