# NTSB DEN86LA058: Cessna 140A, N5330C, Columbus, NM, December 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1985, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, NM
- Coordinates: 31.819648, -107.639251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8196&lon=-107.6393&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): 16909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - object - fence

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER PERFORMING THE PREFLIGHT ENGINE RUNUP, HE LEANED THE MIXTURE CONTROL AND SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BOTH TANKS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FT AGL, THE ENG LOST PARTIAL PWR. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING THE PARTIAL PWR LOSS. THE CESSNA 140A FUEL SELECTOR HAS THREE POSITIONS, LEFT TANK, RIGHT TANK, AND BOTH OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5330C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5330C-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 15450, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140A
- Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15450
- Airframe hours: 3725
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffery J. Hunter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1985, 157 hours before
- Departed: 60E, COLUMBUS, NM
- Destination: 4E8, EL PASO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 43 in this make and model, 3,652 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 228° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMN, 23 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 19851231064179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851231064179A), Dec 31, 1985: Cessna 140A, Columbus, NM, Substantial damage. Engine lost power during takeoff. Aircraft hit fence. Pilot had put fuel selector to off position on preflight.

## Other investigations on N5330C (2)

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 LAX76FUJ43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FUJ43), Nov 20, 1975: Cessna 140A (N5330C), Goodyear, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67F0185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0185), Aug 25, 1966: Cessna 140A (N5330C), Sikes, LA, 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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