# NTSB CHI92LA163: Cessna 120, N76028, Elk River, MN, June 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Elk River, MN
- Coordinates: 45.32938, -93.559112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3294&lon=-93.5591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA163

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - turbulence
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

TWENTY MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED ENGINE POWER LOSS.  HE SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK TO LEFT, BACK TO RIGHT, THEN LEFT AGAIN WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING.  POWER WAS NOT REGAINED.  THE RIGHT TANK AND FUEL STRAINER BOWL CONTAINED NO FUEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 5 GALLONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76028](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76028), registered now, S/N 10422, 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: 10422
- Airframe hours: 2510
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson, Bruce D.
- Registered owner: Thompson, Bruce D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1991, 35 hours before
- Departed: ANE, BLAINE, MN
- Destination: ANE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 367 total, 76 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIC, 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 19920606018489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920606018489A), Jun 6, 1992: Cessna 120, Elk River, MN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on test flight. Reported switching tanks. No restart. Engine post accident normal. Right tank was empty.

## Other investigations on N76028 (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 CHI81FER17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FER17), Mar 13, 1981: Cessna 120 (N76028), Frost, MN, 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.

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