# NTSB CHI97LA143: Cessna 140, N76122, Fulton, MO, May 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1997, 20:00 local (May 22, 1997, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Fulton, MO - Coordinates: 38.939018, -91.929183 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9390&lon=-91.9292&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 August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10575 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10575/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA143 ## Probable cause a malfunction of the engine's carburetor that was associated with a spalled carburetor float fulcrum pin which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,carburetor float - malfunction (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot said the engine experienced a total loss of power shortly after takeoff. He said he was able to land the airplane on the remaining runway. The pilot said he intentionally ground looped the airplane so it would not roll into a ditch located near the runway's departure end. Following the accident the engine was run to its static RPM of 2,200 RPM. The inspection of the carburetor revealed a spalled float fulcrum pin. According to the FAA Maintenance or Defect Report filed on this discovery, '...wear on this pin can cause this type of problem.' ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1997, at 2000 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 140, N76122, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an intentional ground loop following a forced landing on runway 09 (1,800' x 100' dry sod) at the Sky-Go Airport, a restricted landing area 2 miles northwest of Fulton, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The pilot said the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during the intial takeoff climb. He said he was able to land back on the runway, but decided to intentionally ground loop the airplane to prevent it from colliding with a ditch located near the departure end of the runway. A witness said he saw N76122 lift off the runway at mid-field. He said, "The engine sounded normal on the takeoff... ." According to the witness, N76122 was "...about 20 to 30 feet [above the runway] when the engine quit." The engine was test run and attained its static RPM of 2,200 RPM. The engine on N76122 was equipped with a Stromberg carburetor, Model Number NAS-3A1. After the engine was test run the carburetor was disassembled. Examination of the carburetor's float fulcrum showed it was spalled. According to the FAA Form 8010-4, Malfunction or Defect Report, "Experience has shown any wear on this pin can cause this type of problem." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76122](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76122), registered now, S/N 10519, built 1946 (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: 10519 - Airframe hours: 6706 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: 140 Flying Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1996, 26 hours before - Departed: RLA - Destination: RLA - Airport: RLA, Skygo, runway 9, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,430 total, 2,399 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: COU, 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 19970521011739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970521011739A), May 21, 1997: Cessna 140, Fulton, MO, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed back on rla. Ground looped avoid overrun on short runway. Carb float spalled. Cut fuel 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.