# NTSB ATL92FA040: Cessna 140, N1976N, Columbia, SC, January 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1992, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.989276, -81.00064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9893&lon=-81.0006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN A STALL/SPIN. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN A CESSNA 140.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

AFTER LIFT-OFF, AT APRX 300 FT AGL, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND THE NOSE DROPPED. IT REMAINED IN A LEFT TURN IN A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL IMPACT. FUEL ON BOARD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APRX 5 GALS. THE AIRCRAFT OPERATION MANUAL STATES 'DO NOT TAKE OFF WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK.' THE FUEL CAPACITY OF THE AIRCRAFT IS 25 GALS. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED AN IMPACT MARK ON THE FLOAT WHICH MATCHED WITH THE FUEL JET IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CARBURETOR. TESTS SHOWED THAT WITH FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR, THE FLOAT DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FUEL JET. THERE WAS NO RECORD IN EITHER THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK, OR THE RIGHT SEAT ATP CERTIFICATED PILOT'S LOGBOOK, OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN A CESSNA 140.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1976N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1976N-1993-01-19), registration cancelled 1993-01-19, S/N 12212 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12212
- Airframe hours: 1374
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin, S. & Campbell, J.
- Registered owner: Watkins, Thomas M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1991, 1 hours before
- Airport: CUB, Owens Downtown Airport, runway 13, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,777 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 10 nm away

## 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 19920116060229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920116060229A), Jan 16, 1992: Cessna 140, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Took off low fuel,engine quit. Stalled. Dived to impact. Fuel unports with low fuel in climb. No check out in type.

## Other investigations on N1976N (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA74FLD91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FLD91), May 29, 1974: Cessna 140 (N1976N), Orlando, FL, substantial damage

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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