# NTSB NYC95LA206: Cessna 140, N3174N, Richmond, RI, August 28, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 1995, 21:20 local (Aug 28, 1995, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Richmond, RI - Location: 41.7701° N, 71.6226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Richmond, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7701&lon=-71.6226&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39039 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39039/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA206 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3174N-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 13432, built 1947 (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: 13432 - Airframe hours: 2374 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950828025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950828025949A), Aug 28, 1995: Cessna 140, West Kingston, RI, Substantial damage. Lost power on go around. Struck a tree. Crashed. Fuel selector on left empty tank. ## Other investigations on N3174N (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 CHI82DEP12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DEP12), Nov 27, 1981: Cessna 140 (N3174N), Hayward, WI, 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.