# NTSB LAX96LA010: Cessna 140, N1782V, Dixon, CA, October 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1995, 18:30 local (Oct 14, 1995, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Dixon, CA - Coordinates: 38.39006, -121.810745 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3901&lon=-121.8107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29308/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA010 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to debris blocking the carburetor main jet. ## 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 - fuel system,carburetor - foreign material/substance (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he was performing touch-and-go pattern operations and the engine sputtered and lost power in the initial climb. The aircraft's altitude was insufficient to return to the runway and the pilot landed in a corn field, damaging the fuselage and wings. On-scene investigation revealed that there was 2-1/2 gallons of fuel in the right wing tank and 3-1/2 gallons in the left wing tank. No water contamination was detected when the gascolator and fuel tanks were inspected. When the carburetor was opened, a small amount of debris was noted in the bowl. The individual debris particles were large enough to obstruct the flow of fuel to the main jet. Further inspection revealed there was a fragment of debris in the orifice of the main jet blocking it about 60 to 70 percent. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 1995, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N1782V, collided with the ground following a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb at the Main Prairie airport, Dixon, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the student pilot and was engaged in touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The local area solo instructional flight originated at the Main Prairie airport on the day of the accident at 1800. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he was performing touch-and-go pattern operations on runway 32. He said he noted that the fuel level in the left tank was down to 1/4 shortly after lift-off. The pilot then switched the fuel selector valve from the left tank to the right and the engine sputtered and lost power. The aircraft altitude was insufficient to return to the runway and the pilot landed in a corn field, damaging the fuselage and wings. The pilot said that after the accident he noticed that the fuel valve handle was positioned 1/2 inch beyond the right tank index point. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, propeller, the forward engine cowling and airframe aft of the firewall. FAA inspectors conducted an on-scene investigation, both at the accident site and after recovery to a salvage yard. The inspectors found that there was 2 1/2 gallons of fuel in the right wing tank and 3 1/2 gallons in the left wing tank. They stated that no water contamination was detected. When the gascolator was inspected, it was found to be free of visible obstructions and the screen appeared new. When investigators opened the carburetor they noted a small amount of debris in the bowl. The individual debris particles were noted to be large enough to obstruct the flow of fuel to the main jet. Further inspection revealed there was a fragment of debris in the orifice of the main jet blocking it about 60 to 70 percent. Microscopic inspection of the small piece of debris did not reveal its composition or origin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1782V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1782V-2010-08-12), registration cancelled 2010-08-12, S/N 13967 (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: 13967 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel W. Bingham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 1994 - Departed: Q33 - Airport: Q33, Main Prairie, runway 32, 2,200 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 39 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUU, 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 19951013038769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951013038769A), Oct 13, 1995: Cessna 140, Dixon, CA, Substantial damage. Switched tanks on final. Engine quit. Landed short in tall corn. Fuel selector not in detente. Debris in fuel also. 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.