# NTSB NYC96LA091: Cessna 140, N2001N, Houlton, ME, April 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1996, 18:47 local (22:47 UTC) - Place: Houlton, ME - Location: 46.1246° N, 67.7924° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOULTON INTL (HUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1246&lon=-67.7924&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA091 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to select the fullest fuel tank prior to takeoff which resulted in fuel starvation during the initial takeoff climb. ## 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 - fuel system - starvation - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The pilot stated that he departed with 7 and 8 gallons of fuel in the left and right fuel tanks respectively. He conducted a local flight for about 1 hour and then returned to practice landings. During the second initial takeoff climb, about 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the left to right fuel tank; however, the engine did not respond, and he performed a forced landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed about 2 to 3 gallons of fuel in the left tank and an undetermined amount of fuel in the right tank. According to the Cessna 140 Operations Manual, the total fuel capacity for each wing is 12-1/2 gallons, and it states 'Do not take off on less than 1/4 tank.' ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1996, about 1847 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2001N, was substantially damaged when it impacted a hill during a forced landing after takeoff from Houlton International, Houlton, Maine. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that he conducted a local flight for approximately 1 hour and then returned to Houlton to practice some landings. During the initial climb of the second takeoff, about 300 feet above the ground, the engine lost total power. The pilot lowered the nose to stabilize the airspeed, switched the fuel selector valve from the left to right fuel tank, and pumped the throttle. The engine did not respond, and the pilot performed a forced landing. During the emergency descent, the airplane collided with hilly terrain. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine. The left fuel tank was determined to contain about 2 to 3 gallons of fuel, while the right fuel tank was observed leaking an undetermined amount of fuel on the ground. According to the Cessna 140 Operations Manual, the total fuel capacity for each wing was 12 1/2 gallons. Additionally, in the starting engine section, it stated, "Set fuel tank selector to fullest tank. (Do not take off on less than 1/4 tank.)" ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2001N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2001N-2022-06-04), registration cancelled 2022-06-04, S/N 12237, 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: 12237 - Airframe hours: 1562 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark L. Nightingale - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1996, 9 hours before - Departed: HUL, HOULTON, ME - Airport: HUL, Houlton International, runway 5, 5,016 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,089 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,089 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HUL ## 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 19960425008509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960425008509A), Apr 25, 1996: Cessna 140, Houlton, ME, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Impacted rough terrain. Indicates low fuel unported. AFM states no takeoff low fuel. 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.