# NTSB CHI84LA002: Cessna 140, N76639, Hastings, MI, October 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1983
- Place: Hastings, MI
- Location: 42.6501° N, 85.2884° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hastings, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6501&lon=-85.2884&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA002

## 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 system - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) KNEW THAT THE ACFT WAS GETTING LOW ON FUEL, BUT HE WANTED THE STUDENT TO MAKE ONE MORE TAKEOFF & LANDING. WHEN THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 FT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE CFI ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE ACFT & SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH INDICATED 1/4 FULL. HOWEVER, THE ENG WOULD NOT RESTART. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76639](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76639-1985-01-11), registration cancelled 1985-01-11, S/N 11079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 246-72-6-12
- Airframe hours: 2117
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Teen Flight
- Registered owner: Calvin Molyneux
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1983
- Departed: 9D9, HASTINGS, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,413 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,218 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °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 19831001070009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831001070009A), Oct 1, 1983: Cessna 140, Hastings, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff when fuel starvation from left tank occurred. Crashed during emergency landing.

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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