# NTSB FTW94LA249: Cessna 140, N2260V, Archer City, TX, July 21, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1994, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Archer City, TX
- Coordinates: 33.590133, -98.620903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5901&lon=-98.6209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA249

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION INDUCED POWER LOSS. FACTORS WERE THE IMPROPER REFUELING TECHNIQUES USED BY THE PILOT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - refueling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND ULTIMATELY EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET AGL.  THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A SOFT FIELD; THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.  SOIL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.  THE SAME TYPE OF SOIL WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE OPEN CONTAINERS THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD RECENTLY BEEN REFUELED FROM.

## Factual narrative

On July 21, 1994, at approximately 1555 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2260V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Archer City, Texas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Weather for the 14 CFR 91 business flight was visual meteorological conditions.

The airplane had just departed on a cross country flight from Archer City, to Jacksboro, Texas.  The pilot stated that the engine began to run rough as he was climbing through about 500 feet AGL, and then the engine experienced a complete power loss.  An examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel system was blocked by soil.  The aircraft was recently refueled from a series of open containers.  An inspection of the fuel nozzle revealed that insects had built a nest out of mud.  Parts of the nest were broken away and the residue in the fuel system was of the same type of soil.

During the landing the airplane touched down in a freshly plowed field, resulting in the airplane nosing over to the inverted position and damaging the empennage section.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2260V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2260V), registered now, S/N 14491 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14491
- Airframe hours: 5309
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Byrd, Becky D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1993, 50 hours before
- Destination: 21F, JACKSBORO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,812 total, 310 in this make and model, 1,742 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19940721019029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940721019029A), Jul 21, 1994: Cessna 140, Archer City, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit climbout. Landed soft field. Nosed over. Soil in fuel system and in fuel source.

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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