# NTSB LAX90LA142: Cessna 140, N76918, Chico, CA, April 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1990, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740833, -121.829269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7408&lon=-121.8293&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 September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA142

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO UNPORTING OF THE FUEL PICK UP IN THE FUEL TANK SELECTED FOR THE TAKEOFF.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT FOR THE LOCAL FLIGHT AND DISCOVERED THAT NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT. DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THE PILOT SAID HE VISUALLY EXAMINED THE TANKS AND FOUND THAT HE HAD ABOUT 6 TOTAL GALLONS AVAILABLE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO FLY TO A NEIGHBORING AIRPORT TO OBTAIN FUEL. AFTER A NORMAL RUNUP HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED ONCE AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL, THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER. ACCORDING TO CESSNA AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS HAVE PICKUP PORTS AT THE LOWER FORWARD INBOARD CORNER. THE COMPANY SAID THERE IS A PROHIBITION AGAINST TAKEOFF'S WITH FUEL QUANTITIES OF LESS THAN ONE-QUARTER IN THE TANK SELECTED FOR THE MANEUVER. AN ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVE FROM CESSNA STATED THAT THEIR SERVICE HISTORY ON THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A 'HIGH NUMBER OF UNPORTING INCIDENTS WITH FUEL QUANTITIES OF LESS THEN ONE- QUARTER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76918](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76918), registered now, S/N 11360, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11360
- Airframe hours: 3728
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas P Vayda
- Registered owner: Thomas P Vayda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1990, 8 hours before
- Departed: 023
- Destination: 023
- Airport: 023, Ranchaero, runway 15, 2,280 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 542 total, 261 in this make and model, 483 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 10 nm away

## 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 19900410011779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900410011779A), Apr 10, 1990: Cessna 140, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Low on fuel elected fly nearby airport for fuel. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landing. Fuel unporting possible.

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.