# NTSB NYC98LA005: Cessna 120, N76898, Mineral Wells, WV, October 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1997, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Mineral Wells, WV - Coordinates: 39.169879, -81.529327 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1699&lon=-81.5293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39482 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39482/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA005 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power to a blockage in the carburetor resulting in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis During climb-out from a go-around, at about 125 feet, the engine began to sputter. The pilot pulled out carburetor heat, and then pushed it in. The engine lost power and the pilot headed for a nearby field. On final approach the airplane's right wing tip struck a power line, cartwheeling the airplane on to the ground. The fuel lines, fuel vents, magnetos, timing, compression, valve continuity, spark plugs, induction system, and other miscellaneous items were examined. The fuel inlet screen in the carburetor was found broken and deformed. Small pieces of this fuel screen were found in the float bowl and the main jet. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 1997, at 0950 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 120, N76898, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near the Scott Field Airport, Mineral Wells, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Scott Field, about 0925. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, when he arrived at the airport, he changed the oil in the airplane's engine, and then departed runway 04 on a local flight. When he returned after about a 25 minute flight, he flew an approach to runway 04. While on final approach, the pilot decided that the approach was high and added power to go-around. During the climb out, at about 125 feet, the engine began to sputter. The pilot pulled out the carburetor heat control, and then pushed it back in. The engine stopped. The pilot performed a forced landing to a nearby field, but on approach the right wing tip contacted a power line, cartwheeled to the ground. According to the written report of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage: "Fuel lines, fuel vents, magnetos, timing, compression, valve continuity, spark plugs, induction system and other miscellaneous items were examined. The only noteworthy find was that the fuel inlet screen in the carburetor was found broken and deformed. Small pieces of this fuel screen were found in the float bowl and the main jet. It appears that this blockage in the carburetor main jet caused an interruption in the fuel to the engine." The pilot had accumulated approximately 306 total flight hours, of which 201 hours were in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76898](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76898-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 11338, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11338 - Airframe hours: 1553 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phillip K. Cain - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1996, 15 hours before - Departed: 47I - Airport: 47I, Scott Field Airport, runway 4, 2,020 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 200 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °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 19971004044659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971004044659A), Oct 4, 1997: Cessna 120, Mineral Wells, WV, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout from t and l. wing tip hit power line. Cartwheeled. Fuel inlet screen broke. Blocked intake 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.