# NTSB DEN87LA244: Cessna 140, N76907, San Ysidro, NM, September 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1987, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: San Ysidro, NM
- Coordinates: 35.549678, -106.77053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5497&lon=-106.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA244

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,partial
  - engine assembly - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND PAX WERE ON A LCL SIGHTSEEING FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN FLYING LOW AND SLOW AT A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND DID NOT COOL OFF AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. THE ACFT BALLOONED AND TOUCHED DOWN OVER A RISE IN THE ROAD. ACFT CRESTED A SECOND HILL AND COLLIDED WITH A CATTLE GUARD AND GATE. POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED OIL DIPSTICK WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED AND OIL ESCAPED FROM OIL FILLER TUBE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76907](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76907-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 11349, 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: 11349
- Airframe hours: 3520
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy M. Leonard
- Registered owner: Timothy Leonard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 19, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: E98, LOS LUNAS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 444 total, 310 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 25 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 19870926079129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870926079129A), Sep 26, 1987: Cessna 140, San Ysidro, NM, Substantial damage. Overheated engine. Precautionary landing on dirt road. Bounced. Hit a cattle guard and gate. Oil dipstick missing.

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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