# NTSB ATL90LA062: Cessna 120, N90093, Atmore, AL, February 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1990, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Atmore, AL
- Coordinates: 31.01958, -87.489616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0196&lon=-87.4896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA062

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (IN THE RIGHT SEAT) NOTED THAT THE SELECTED FUEL TANK HAD A LOW LEVEL OF FUEL.  HE INSTRUCTED HIS SON (A STUDENT PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT) TO MOVE THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE OTHER TANK.  THE SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY TANK & THE ENG LOST POWER.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90093](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90093-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 9154, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9154
- Airframe hours: 4800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael D. Godwin
- Registered owner: Godwin, Michael D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: ATM
- Airport: 0R1, Atmore Muni, runway 36, 4,925 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 450 total, 25 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19900211001949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900211001949A), Feb 11, 1990: Cessna 120, Atmore, AL, Substantial damage. Private pilot in right seat had student in left seat switch fuel tanks. Was on full. Switched to empty cell.

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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