- Date
- August 27, 1995, 21:20 local (Aug 28, 1995, 01:20 UTC)
- Place
- Richmond, RI
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N3174NCessna 140
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report May 9, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950828025949A
- Case key
- 39039
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, and his improper positioning of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot executed a go-around, and during the climb, the airplane's engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane struck the top of a tree. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel selector was set on the left tank, the left fuel tank was empty, and the right tank had approximately 5 gallons or less of fuel. Also, the pilot stated that at the time of the engine power loss, the fuel selector was on the 'left' tank. Examination of the left fuel tank revealed no evidence of fuel leakage. Examination of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies.
Factual narrative
On August 27, 1995, about 2120 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N3174N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, at the Richmond Airport, Richmond, Rhode Island. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot executed a go-around while on approach to Runway 29. During the climb the airplane's engine lost power.
According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:
...[I] executed a normal go-around procedure. Approximately 1/4 mile past runway end in normal climbout...engine exhibited intermittent power loss. Turned immediately toward runway 11 for emergency landing. Skimmed across top of a tall tree and descended into scrub pines...
The FAA examined the airplane and found the fuel selector on the left tank. The FAA Inspector stated his investigation, "revealed the left fuel tank to be very low on fuel, almost empty...the right tank indicated fuel...estimated to be approximately 5 gallons or less."
The pilot had stated to the FAA that at the time of the engine power loss, the fuel selector was on the "left" tank. According to the FAA Inspector, the pilot visually inspected the left fuel tank, after the accident, and the pilot stated, "that the left tank sure looks dry to me." The left tank did not display any evidence of fuel "leakage" at the accident site. The FAA examination of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies.
At the time of the accident, the pilot had 1,500 total flight hours, 519 flight hours in this make and model airplane, and 76 night flight hours.
The reported local weather was; 3000 scattered, visibility 10 miles, temperature 70 degrees F, winds calm.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3174N
- Reported as
- Cessna 140
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 13432
- Airframe hours
- 2,374
- Engine
- Continental C-85-12, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- William E O'Neel
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 29, 1995 · 25 hours before
- Departed
- N63 · Sussex, NJ
- Airport
- RI04 · Richmond, runway 11, 2,130 × 30 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 58
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,063 total · 519 in this make and model · 1,015 as pilot in command · 25 in the last 90 days · 14 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N3174N · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.