# NTSB CHI06LA191: Cessna 120, N3089N, Laporte, MN, July 14, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2006, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Laporte, MN - Coordinates: 47.19889, -94.75222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1989&lon=-94.7522&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 December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64123 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64123/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA191 ## Probable cause The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during takeoff. A contributing factor was the runway marker. ## 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 - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane received substantial damage following a loss of engine power during initial climb from a private airstrip. The airplane then impacted a runway marker and nosed over during a forced landing. Inspection of the airplane revealed no usable fuel in the fuel tanks. No anomalies associated with the loss of engine power were reported. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2006, at 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N3089N, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with a runway marker and terrain following takeoff from runway 7 (2,400 feet by 80 feet, turf) at Robco Airport, Laporte, Minnesota. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Walker Municipal Airport, Walker, Minnesota. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane engine experienced a total loss of engine power about 10 feet above ground level. The airplane then impacted a runway sign and nosed over. Inspection of the airplane revealed no usable fuel in the fuel tanks. No anomalies associated with the loss of engine power were reported. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was sent to the pilot via certified mail. A Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was not received from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3089N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3089N-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 13347, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13347 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Departed: MN12, Laporte, MN - Destination: Y49, Walker, MN - Airport: MN12, Robco Airport, runway 7, 2,400 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; flight hours: 320 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: BJI, 20 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 20060714015079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060714015079A), Jul 14, 2006: Cessna 120, Laporte, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff, engine started to spit/splutter. Pilot landed aircraft, hit runway end marker and flipped aircraft. 07-10-06, pilot tried to fuel aircraft… ## Other investigations on N3089N (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 MKC73DCD60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCD60), May 5, 1973: Cessna 120 (N3089N), Councl Bluff, IA, 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.