# NTSB MKC83LA101: Cessna C-140, N77090, Mt. Pleasant, IA, April 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1983, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Pleasant, IA
- Coordinates: 40.959545, -91.54055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9595&lon=-91.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA101

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT MAKE A VISUAL CHECK OF HIS FUEL SUPPLY PRIOR TO FLIGHT. AFTER A 45 MINUTE SOLO FLIGHT HE LANDED AT A PRIVATE STRIP AND PICKED UP A PASSENGER. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED AND THE GUAGE WAS INDICATING IN THE LOWER RED 1/4 RED, NO TAKEOFF RANGE. AS THE ACFT CLIMBED TO APRX 25 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ACFT TOUCHEDDOWN WITHOUT INCIDENT, THEN STRUCK A FENCE POST AND NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77090](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77090-2026-03-23), registration cancelled 2026-03-23, S/N 11548 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-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: 11548
- Airframe hours: 1323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Haven D. Noble
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1982
- Airport: Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 472 in this make and model, 470 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 28 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 19830430017169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830430017169A), Apr 30, 1983: Cessna 140, Mt Pleasant, IA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel starvation immediately after takeoff.

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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