# NTSB LAX99LA067: Cessna 140, N3585V, Santa Barbara, CA, January 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 3, 1999, 16:27 local (Jan 4, 1999, 00:27 UTC) - Place: Santa Barbara, CA - Location: 34.4401° N, 119.8463° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SANTA BARBARA MUNI (SBA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4401&lon=-119.8463&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 June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45561/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA067 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to an internal left magneto coil primary circuit short. Factors were insufficient altitude and inadequate terrain to make an emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system,magneto - shorted (cause) - ignition system,magneto - timing improper (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - altitude - inadequate - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane was performing touch-and-go landings and had just lifted off to climb on the runway heading when the engine abruptly lost power at 150 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to execute a turn and lower the nose to maintain airspeed. The engine was faltering and producing partial power, then cycling and producing no power. The pilot did not have sufficient altitude to make the runway and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in a marsh located near the runway. Examination of the engine found that the right magneto to engine timing was 17 degrees before top dead center of cylinder number one. The Lycoming engine data plate specifies that the engine to magneto timing be set at 25 degrees. The left magneto was inoperative and further investigation found that the primary coil circuit was internally shorted. Review of the maintenance records disclosed that the last annual inspection was accomplished on May 5, 1998, about 40 hours prior to the accident. No entries were found detailing maintenance on the magnetos after the annual. ## Factual narrative On January 3, 1999, at 1627 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 140, N3585V, nosed over and came to rest inverted in a marsh following a touch-and-go landing attempt at the Santa Barbara, California, airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot/owner and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight was being flown under CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The personal flight originated in Santa Paula, California, at 1550, and a flight plan was not filed for the flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was cleared for touch-and-go's on runway 15L. He stated he had just lifted off and was proceeding to climb on the runway heading when the engine power "abruptly reduced to no power" at 150 feet agl. He said he executed a gradual turn to the right, and lowered the nose to maintain forward airspeed. He said that the engine was faltering and producing partial power, and then no power. He said the airplane struck the ground with a slight nose low attitude. The airplane was removed from the site and relocated to a nearby aircraft wreckage yard. At the request of the Safety Board, the wreckage was examined under the supervision of a Van Nuys, California Flight Standards District Office aviation inspector and a Textron Lycoming engine representative. According to the Textron Lycoming engine representative, the engine did not display any evidence of premishap catastrophic mechanical malfunction or fire. The bottom spark plugs were removed and examined by the engine representative. He noted that the spark plug electrodes were undamaged from any foreign object ingestion. The crankshaft was rotated by hand utilizing the propeller, and was free and easy to rotate in both directions. Thumb compression was observed in proper order on all four cylinders. The right magneto was found securely clamped. The magneto to engine timing was observed at 17 degrees before top dead center (BTDC) of cylinder number one. The Lycoming engine data plate specifies the engine to magneto timing be at 25 degrees BTDC. The left magneto, S4LN-21, 10-51360-37, s/n 0010469 was found securely clamped. The impulse coupling was heard clicking during rotation of the crankshaft. During the magneto to engine timing check, the timing light would not illuminate on the syncrophaser during rotation of the crankshaft. The magneto to engine timing could not be ascertained. The magneto was removed for further examination. The drive was observed to be intact and properly saftied. The contact assembly (points) was undamaged and was observed to operate normally during hand rotation of the drive. Further examination of the magneto coil revealed that the primary circuit was internally shorted. A complete copy of the Textron Lycoming report is appended to this report. Review of the maintenance records disclosed that the last annual inspection was accomplished on May 5, 1998, about 40 hours prior to the accident. No entries were found detailing maintenance on the magnetos after the annual. The wreckage was released to the registered owner at the conclusion of the engine examination on March 1, 1999. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3585V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3585V-2000-08-09), registration cancelled 2000-08-09, S/N 14750 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14750 - Airframe hours: 817 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Russell T. Evans - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA - Destination: SBA - Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara Airport, runway 15L, 4,179 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,044 total, 800 in this make and model, 982 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SBA ## 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 19990103000109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990103000109A), Jan 3, 1999: Cessna 140, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On January 3, 1999, at 1625 hours pacific standard time, a Cessna 140, N3585V, nosed over and came to rest inverted in a marsh following a touch-and-go… ## Other investigations on N3585V (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX72DUQ53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUQ53), Dec 26, 1971: Cessna 140 (N3585V), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage 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.