# NTSB FTW79FPD37: Cessna 140, N89445, Wichita Falls, TX, August 22, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 22, 1979
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX · WICHITA FALLS, TX
- Location: 33.9137° N, 98.4934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wichita Falls, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9137&lon=-98.4934&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FPD37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPD37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2916  79/8/22    WICHITA FALLS,TX    CESSNA 140          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 1462
        TIME - 1745                    N89445              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 45 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WICHITA VALLEY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WICHITA FALLS,TX            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - TOUCH AND GO LANDING
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE ROTATED FREELY W/O RESISTANCE & NO INDEX IN OFF,LEFT OR RGT POSITION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89445](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89445-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 8477, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Wichita Valley

## 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 19790822032189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790822032189A), Aug 22, 1979: Cessna 140, Wichita Falls, TX, Substantial damage. Fuel selector handle rotated freely. Would not index in off, left, or right position.

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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