# NTSB NYC93LA072: Cessna 140, N46TM, Doylestown, PA, April 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1993, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Doylestown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.309692, -75.120384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3097&lon=-75.1204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA072

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT PASSENGER TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A TOUCH AND GO.  ON CLIMBOUT AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN AND IMPACT THE GROUND ON THE RIGHT WING AND NOSE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND THE TACHOMETER STUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 2200 RPM AND CHORD WISE SCRATCHES WERE VISIBLE ON ONE BLADE OF THE PROPELLER.  FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR AND NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.  THE PIC WHO OCCUPIED THE LEFT SEAT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED, AND THAT THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS OPERATING THE FLIGHT CONTROLS JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46TM-1993-06-02), registration cancelled 1993-06-02, S/N 9969 (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: 9969
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Farley
- Registered owner: P.J. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 1992
- Departed: N88
- Destination: N88
- Airport: N88, Doylestown, runway 5, 3,004 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,800 total, 150 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 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 19930407008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930407008109A), Apr 7, 1993: Cessna 140, Doylestown, PA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Observed on climbout entering right turn and descend to ground. Pilot claims right seat pilot operating controls.

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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