# NTSB LAX81FVM13: Cessna 120, N1611V, Watsonville, CA, February 27, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 27, 1981
- Place: Watsonville, CA · WATSONVILLE, CA
- Location: 36.9236° N, 121.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watsonville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9236&lon=-121.7724&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 April 17, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVM13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVM13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0399  81/2/27    WATSONVILLE,CA      CESSNA 120          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 629
        TIME - 1130                    N1611V              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 255 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WATSONVILLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATSONVILLE,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FUEL VALVE SHAFT MODIFIED,SELECTOR READ R TANK WHEN FUEL ACTUALLY COMING FM L TANK.L TANK EMPTY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1611V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1611V), registered now, S/N 13783, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (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: Watsonville

## 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 19810227006409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810227006409A), Feb 27, 1981: Cessna 120, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Found fuel selector handle set incorrectly to show wrong tank. Exhausted fuel other tank.

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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