# NTSB ATL97LA062: Cessna 140, N2351V, Clearwater, FL, April 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1997, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Location: 27.9772° N, 82.7591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CLEARWATER EXEC (CLW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9772&lon=-82.7591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3839 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3839/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to select the fuller tank for takeoff that resulted in fuel starvation to the engine, and the subsequent total loss of engine power. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had completed a touch and go landing and was climbing through 400 feet when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a left turn, and elected to return to the airport for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with the ground between the two parrellel taxiways. Examination of the aircraft disclosed that there was no fuel in the left main fuel tank. A substantial amount of fuel was recovered from the right main fuel tank. During the initial examination of the cockpit area, the fuel selector was on the left tank. Examination of the airframe failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1997, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2351V, collided with the ground during an attempted emergency landing at the Clearwater Air Park, in Clearwater, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Clearwater, Florida, at 1058. The pilot reported that he had completed a touch and go landing and was climbing through 400 feet when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a left turn, and elected to return to the airport for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with the ground between the two parallel taxiways. Examination of the aircraft disclosed that there was no fuel in the left main fuel tank. A substantial amount of fuel was recovered from the right main fuel tank. During the initial examination of the cockpit area, the fuel selector was on the left tank. Examination of the airframe failed to disclose a mechanical problem. A review of current weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The aircraft operation manual instructs the pilot to "set the fuel selector to the fullest tank. (Do not takeoff on less than 1/4 tank.)" ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2351V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2351V-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 14587, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14587 - Engines: Continental C-90-F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lester L. Mlinarich - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1996 - Departed: CLW - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Airpark, runway 15, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 518 total, 408 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 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 19970425006589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970425006589A), Apr 25, 1997: Cessna 140, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Practicing touch and go landings, bounced hard, go around, engine sputtered, attempted to return, crashed. (.4)the pilot reported that he had completed a touch… ## Other investigations on N2351V (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 LAX67D0141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0141), Sep 12, 1966: Cessna 140 (N2351V), San Diego, CA, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.