# NTSB CHI84LA372: Cessna 120, N76490, Hopedale, IL, August 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1984, 17:31 local (22:31 UTC)
- Place: Hopedale, IL
- Coordinates: 40.420009, -89.410942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4200&lon=-89.4109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA372
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA372

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE WAS OPERATING ON THE LEFT TANK AND WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED HE REALIZED WHAT WAS WRONG AND EVEN THOUGH HE IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED TANKS THE ENGINE QUIT AND DID NOT RESTART. THE PLT WAS FLYING 500 FT AGL AND DID NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO DO MORE THAN PICK A FIELD AND LAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76490](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76490-2020-02-03), registration cancelled 2020-02-03, S/N 10922, built 1946 (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: 10922
- Airframe hours: 2061
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Everett W. Coggins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1984
- Departed: DNV, DANVILLE, IL
- Destination: ORWIG, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 532 total, 269 in this make and model, 491 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIA

## 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 19840830044559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840830044559A), Aug 30, 1984: Cessna 120, Hopedale, IL, Substantial damage. Left fuel tank ran dry and crash occurred during emergency landing. Not enough time to restart engine.

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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