# NTSB ATL92LA175: Cessna 140, N2059V, Blairsville, GA, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1992, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Blairsville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.869495, -83.95095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8695&lon=-83.9510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA175

## Probable cause

A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM TWO STUCK EXHAUST VALVES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - movement restricted (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - fouled (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT REFUELED THE AIRPLANE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED ON THE RAMP SEVERAL DAYS. AFTER COMPLETING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, THE PILOT TOOK OFF, AND FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE ENGINE LOST POWER; THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE POST ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCOVERED  THAT TWO EXHAUST VALVES WERE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. BOTH VALVES WERE FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VALVE EXAMINATION FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE COATED WITH A LAYER OF CARBON, WHICH PREVENTED NORMAL VALVE MOVEMENT. THE PILOT USED AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE, AND BOTH OIL AND FUEL ADDITIVES WERE USED ROUTINELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2059V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2059V-2019-02-23), registration cancelled 2019-02-23, S/N 14272, built 1947 (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: 114272
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Immel, Roy
- Registered owner: Immel, Roy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 46A, BLAIRSVILLE, GA
- Destination: 6R9, LLANO, TX
- Airport: 46A, Blairsville, runway 25, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 45 nm away

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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