# NTSB FTW83LA062: Cessna 140, N89100, Ruston, LA, December 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1982, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruston, LA
- Coordinates: 32.530384, -92.629524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5304&lon=-92.6295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,partial (cause)
- Hard landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - bent (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON TAKEOFF THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG SOUND THEN LOST ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE DESCENDING TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. AT THE EDGE OF THE AIRPORT THE PILOT MADE A HARD TOUCHDOWN ON ALL THREE GEAR ASSEMBLIES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION ON ONE CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89100](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89100-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 8104, 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: 814
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Bissonnette
- Registered owner: John Bissonnette
- Departed: RSN, RUSTON, LA
- Destination: C, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: RSN, Ruston, runway 34, 4,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,060 total, 520 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821212064759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821212064759A), Dec 12, 1982: Cessna 140, Ruston, LA, Substantial damage. Loud bang on takeoff climb. Engine lost power. Turned back, stall landed. A spark plug had fallen out of cylinder.

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.
