# NTSB FTW84LA392: Cessna 140, N89318, Liverpool, TX, September 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1984, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Liverpool, TX
- Coordinates: 29.290353, -95.270874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2904&lon=-95.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA392
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA392

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AT APRX 900 FT AGL THE ENG LOST POWER AND THE PLT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN THE UNIMPROVED TERRAIN. AT TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND A DIRT ENBANKMENT NOSING OVER INVERTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER IN THE GASCOLATOR AS WELL AS THE LEFT FUEL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, IT WAS NECESSARY TO SUMP THE LEFT WING TANK 3 TIMES BEFORE A GOOD FUEL SAMPLE WAS OBTAINED. THE PLT FURTHER REPORTED THAT THE ACFT LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS IN A DEPRESSION CAUSING THE OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE TANK TO BE LOWER THAN THE SUMP DRAIN AND ENG PICK-UP LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89318-2018-04-04), registration cancelled 2018-04-04, S/N 8346, 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: 8346
- Airframe hours: 3512
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert F. Barton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 1 hours before
- Departed: 21T, HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 318 total, 69 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19840913048139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840913048139A), Sep 13, 1984: Cessna 140, Liverpool, TX, Substantial damage. Left wheel sitting in depression during sump drainage. During flight, water migrated into fuel system. Engine quit.

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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