# NTSB NYC91LA160: Cessna 140, N89209, Lancaster, NY, June 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1991, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, NY
- Coordinates: 42.900409, -78.65924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9004&lon=-78.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA160

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF AN ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

N89209 WAS CRUISING, WHEN THE PILOT 'HEARD A POP, THEN RATTLE FROM THE ENGINE.'  THE PILOT SAID, '[I] WAS GOING TO TRY TO MAKE [AN] AIRPORT...[I] THROTTLED UP...[THE ENGINE] VIBRATED AND KNOCKED TOO HARD.'  THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A BROKEN NUMBER 3 EXHAUST VALVE.  A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE VALVE REVEALED THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF PROGRESSIVE FATIGUE, NOT INSTANTANEOUS OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89209](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89209), registered now, S/N 8229, built 1946 (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: 8229
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward J. Foody
- Registered owner: Edward J. Foody
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 668 total, 530 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910630025009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910630025009A), Jun 30, 1991: Cessna 140, Lancaster, NY, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Nosed over landing in a field. NR3 exhaust valve had broken from fatigue.

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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