# NTSB CHI08CA127: Cessna 140, N89307, Burlington, WI, May 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2008, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Burlington, WI - Coordinates: 42.690555, -88.304725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6906&lon=-88.3047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68201 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68201/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA127 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude at the time of the loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that they departed about 1530 and flew to a second airport. They were conducting takeoffs and full stop landings on runway 01 (2,477 feet by 130 feet, turf) at the that airport at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that on the third takeoff, the engine failed after lift off. The airplane impacted a tree during the forced landing and subsequently came to rest inverted. The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the engine began to run rough. He applied carburetor heat and the engine operation smoothed out momentarily, and then quit. The airplane was at an altitude of approximately 250 feet above ground level, in a left turn at the time. A post accident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a pre impact failure. The airplane had been inverted for several hours after the accident. As a result, the exact amount of fuel on-board at the time of the accident could not be established. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that they departed Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), Wheeling, Illinois, about 1530 and flew to Burlington Municipal Airport (BUU), Burlington, Wisconsin. They were conducting takeoffs and full stop landings on runway 01 (2,477 feet by 130 feet, turf) at BUU. The pilot stated that on the third takeoff, the engine failed after lift off. The airplane impacted a tree during the forced landing and subsequently came to rest inverted. The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the engine began to run rough. He applied carburetor heat and the engine operation smoothed out momentarily, and then quit. The airplane was at an altitude of approximately 250 feet above ground level, in a left turn at the time. A post accident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a pre impact failure. Engine continuity was confirmed via crankshaft rotation and compression was observed on all cylinders. The magnetos provided a spark when rotated and spark plug appearance was consistent with normal wear. The carburetor was intact. No fluid was observed in the carburetor or in the gascolator. The air filter and intake manifold appeared unobstructed. The fuel selector was set to the right tank and appeared unobstructed. The right fuel tank contained an estimated 4 or 5 gallons at the time of the post accident examination. The left fuel tank was nearly empty at that time. The fuel tank caps were in place and secure. The fuel vents appeared open and functional. The airplane had been inverted for several hours after the accident. The exact amount of fuel on-board at the time of the accident could not be established. The pilot stated that 12 gallons of fuel were on-board at the time of the initial takeoff. The airplane manufacturer reported that the published fuel burn for the airplane was approximately 4.7 ~ 7.0 gallons per hour. Total fuel capacity is 25 gallons, with 21 gallons useable. Each fuel tank is equipped with a single outlet located in the center of the tank, which is the lowest part of the tank in cruise flight. This configuration allows use of approximately 3 additional gallons of fuel in steady level flight. However, for that reason, takeoffs are not permitted with less than 1/4 tank of fuel due to the possibility of unporting a fuel tank outlet at higher pitch attitudes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89307](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89307), registered now, S/N 8335, built 1946 (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: 8335 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008 - Departed: BUU, Burlington, WI - Destination: PWK, Chicago/Prospec, IL - Airport: BUU, Burlington Muni, runway 01, 2,477 × 130 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 27,765 total, 450 in this make and model, 25,921 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: BUU ## 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 20080509840199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080509840199A), May 9, 2008: Cessna 140, Burlington, WI, Destroyed. (-23) During takeoff from Burlington, WI (buu) to the north on runway 01 the engine began to run rough. [privacy data omitted] Stated he applied carburetor… 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.