# NTSB NYC97LA147: Cessna 120, N2550N, Napoleon, OH, July 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1997, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Napoleon, OH - Coordinates: 41.389495, -84.120361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3895&lon=-84.1204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39404 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39404/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off with inadequate fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - planning/decision, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing. The pilot stated that the airplane did not experience any problems prior to the loss of power, and that the fuel selector valve was set to 'BOTH.' During the preflight, he visually checked the fuel gages, which incorporated a 'gray area' to indicate an inadequate fuel load for takeoff. Fuel gage indications were 'just above the gray area.' Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a fuel spill, nor any mechanical malfunction. The right fuel tank was empty, and the left fuel tank contained about 1/2 gallon of fuel. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1997, about 1550 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 120, N2550N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Henry County Airport (OH17), Napoleon, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he had been having trouble starting the airplane's engine when it was warm. He further stated, "My intention was to go around the pattern once, stop the engine, and see if it would start again. The plane got about 100 ft. off the ground and engine died." During the subsequent forced landing the airplane impacted trees. The pilot stated that he did not experience any problems with the airplane prior to the loss of engine power, and that the fuel selector valve was set to "BOTH." He also stated that during the preflight he visually checked the fuel gages, which incorporated a "gray area" to indicate an unsafe fuel load for takeoff. Fuel gage indications were "just above the gray area." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed no evidence of a fuel spill. The fuel selector was found in the off position, but had been moved by fire/rescue personnel from an unknown position. The fuel system was intact and there was no evidence of mechanical malfunction. The right fuel tank was empty, and the left fuel tank contained approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel. Both fuel gauges indicated zero. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2550N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2550N-1997-12-08), registration cancelled 1997-12-08, S/N 12806 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12806 - Airframe hours: 3616 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John J Thompson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1997, 44 hours before - Departed: OH17 - Airport: OH17, Henry County, runway 28, 4,500 × 65 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 534 total, 165 in this make and model, 468 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TOL, 16 nm away ## 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 19970717018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970717018709A), Jul 17, 1997: Cessna STC120, Napoleon, OH, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck tree trying return. Fuel was depleted. Large engine uses more fuel possible factor. (From form 23) pilot reported, after take… 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.