# NTSB BFO89LA051: Cessna 140, N1975N, Bridgeport, WV, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, WV
- Coordinates: 39.28971, -80.249206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2897&lon=-80.2492&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 August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA051

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BECAUSE OF FUEL STARVATION. FUEL STARVATION OCCURRED BECAUSE OF UNPORTING OF FUEL FROM THE TANK OUTLET WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A SLIP ATTITUDE SHORTLY BEFORE THE POWER LOSS. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS INADEQUATE INFORMATION IN THE FLIGHT MANUAL CAUTIONING OF THE POTENTIAL UNPORTING OF THE FUEL OUTLET.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON CLIMB OUT, AT 200 FT AGL, AFTER DOING THE THIRD T & G LNDG, WHEN THE ENG STARTED LOSING PWR. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LNDG IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE ACFT STRUCK A POLE AND TREE. THE PLT SAID HE PUT THE ACFT IN A LEFT SLIP DURING THE THIRD LNDG APPROACH AND WAS USING THE LEFT FUEL TANK DURING THE FLIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS EACH HAD 5 GALS OF FUEL. EACH TANK CAPACITY IS 12.5 GALS. THE ENG STARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND OPERATED WITHOUT DISCREPANCY DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1975N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1975N-2006-01-23), registration cancelled 2006-01-23, S/N 12211, 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: 12211
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Milan, Jr. Patrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1989, 5 hours before
- Airport: CKB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,990 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,865 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CKB, 1 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 19890701018839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701018839A), Jul 1, 1989: Cessna 140, Clarksburg, WV, Substantial damage. Apparently unported fuel in a side slip on landing for touch and go. Engine quit on climbout. Fuel low in tanks.

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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