# NTSB CHI92LA165: Cessna 140, N2776N, Howard, WI, June 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1992, 20:23 local (Jun 9, 1992, 01:23 UTC)
- Place: Howard, WI
- Coordinates: 44.540962, -88.049125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5410&lon=-88.0491&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 July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA165

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM CONTAMINATED FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - object - sign

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB FROM A PRIVATE LANDING STRIP.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A SIGN DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  THE PILOT TOLD INSPECTORS FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) THAT THE ENGINE HAD STARTED MISSING DURING TAKEOFF AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  HE TOLD THEM HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND ATTEMPTED A RESTART BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT.  THEY VERIFIED MECHANICAL CONTINUITY THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.  THERE WERE NO DEFECTS DISCOVERED IN THE ENGINE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED SEDIMENT AND FOREIGN MATERIAL IN THE GASCOLATOR BOWL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2776N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2776N-2022-01-19), registration cancelled 2022-01-19, S/N 13037 (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: 13037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eugene B. Havlovitz
- Registered owner: Eugene B. Havlovitz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 75 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 10 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 19920609018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920609018809A), Jun 9, 1992: Cessna 140, Howard, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landing on a road struck a sign. Found sediment and foreign material in gascolator.

## Other investigations on N2776N (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 CHI69F0049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0049), May 8, 1968: Cessna 140 (N2776N), Columbia, IL, 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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