# NTSB CHI83FET02: Cessna 120, N77372, Fort Wayne, IN, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1983, 06:52 local (11:52 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Coordinates: 41.149223, -85.129005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1492&lon=-85.1290&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FET02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FET02

## 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)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL DURING THE SECOND TAKEOFF NEAR MID RWY. THE PILOT TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND LOST THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RWY. THE ACFT LANDED IN AN ADJOINING SOYBEAN FIELD. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT TANK WAS 3/4 FULL AND THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT ENGINE. NO FUEL WAS IN THE SYSTEM FROM THE FIREWALL FORWARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77372](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77372-1989-10-16), registration cancelled 1989-10-16, S/N 11813 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U813
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: March Myron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 61 hours before
- Airport: SMD, Smith Field, runway 23, 3,110 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 532 total, 220 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830813040999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830813040999A), Aug 13, 1983: Cessna 120, Ft Wayne, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during attempted emergency landing when engine quit during takeoff.

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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