CHI01LA160

The pilot attempted a downwind landing on a soybean field following a total loss of engine power. The airplane flipped over upon touchdown. The right fuel tank and carburetor bowl did not contain fuel.

On June 8, 2001, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89320, owned and piloted by a private pilot, flipped over during a forced landing on a soybean field following a total loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from the La Porte Municipal Airport, La Porte, Indiana at 0950.

In a written statement, the pilot reported "Took off La Porte PPO about 0950 for flight around pattern. Flew north to northwest of airport. Was going west about five miles out. So I flew northwest a while at 1600' pulled engine back to idle, so other plane could land first. When I put throttle back in, it stayed at idle. Tried throttle again but engine stayed at idle. I picked out a bean field right under me. Made some calls to other plane landing at PPO. Called UNICOM made some S turns to lose altitude. Winds were out of the north about 20 mph. I was at the north end of the field. Didn't have enough altitude for 360 [degree] turn down and back into the wind, so landed downwind in soft field. Touch down in field about half 1/2 way down. Rolled about 50'. Went up on nose and rolled over on back about 55 mph. I had power lines and SR 2. Hwy. ahead of me about 450' from where plane flipped over. Didn't want to hit power line or go up on highway."

Examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the right fuel tank was empty and the left fuel tank was 1/2 full. The fuel selector was on the left tank. The carburetor fuel bowl was empty.