# NTSB CHI04CA122: Cessna 180J, South St. Paul, MN, May 19, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 19, 2004, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: South St. Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.861667, -93.032775
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8617&lon=-93.0328&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA122

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during takeoff climb due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to follow the aircraft's checklist and leaving the fuel selector in the OFF positon.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - incorrect, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power on takeoff.  The private pilot reported that a new 300 horsepower Continental IO-550-D37 engine had been installed on the airplane and a maintenance flight was required to "break in" the new engine.  As part of the engine conversion, a small header tank that held about 1.5 gallons of fuel was installed on the airplane.  He reported that the fuel selector was left in the "OFF" position prior to takeoff, and he forgot to put the fuel selector in the "BOTH" position.  He reported that the airplane climbed to 500 feet above ground level, and then the engine lost power.  He turned back to the airport and the airplane impacted the terrain on the airport property during the forced landing.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 2004, at 1430 central daylight time, a Canadian registered Cessna 180J floatplane, CGNQK, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power on takeoff.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 local maintenance flight was departing Fleming Field (SGS), South St. Paul, Minnesota, when the loss of engine power occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that a new 300 horsepower Continental IO-550-D37 engine had been installed on the airplane and a maintenance flight was required to "break in" the new engine.  As part of the engine conversion, a small header tank that held about 1.5 gallons of fuel was installed on the airplane.  He reported that the fuel selector was left in the "OFF" position prior to takeoff, and he forgot to put the fuel selector in the "BOTH" position.  He reported that the airplane climbed to 500 feet above ground level and then the engine lost power.  He turned back to the airport and impacted the terrain on the airport property.

## Aircraft

- Registration: GNQK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052583
- Engines: Continental IO 550 D37 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Monteith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SGS, South St. Paul, MN
- Airport: SGS, Fleming Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 507 total, 2 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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