# NTSB SEA83LA185: Cessna 140, N90037, College Place, WA, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 15:33 local (22:33 UTC)
- Place: College Place, WA
- Coordinates: 46.039489, -118.399375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0395&lon=-118.3994&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA185

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINE POLES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED A POWER LOSS DURING TAKEOFF AND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SPUTTERING DURING TAKEOFF AND QUIT DURING CLIMB OUT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE ACFT TANKS CONTAINED ABOUT 4 GALLONS. ABOUT 1 GALLON IN THE LEFT AND 3 GALLONS IN THE RIGHT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK. THE PILOT SAID THE FUEL GAUGES READ 'LEFT TANK ABOUT 1/4 AND THE RIGHT TANK EMPTY DURING PREFLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90037](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90037-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 9095, built 1946 (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: 9095
- Airframe hours: 3332
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr. & Mrs. Isakson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1983
- Airport: S95, Martin Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 352 total, 10 in this make and model, 346 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19830826044599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826044599A), Aug 26, 1983: Cessna 140, College Place, WA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on takeoff. Tried to turn back and clear a powerline by diving under. Struck power poles.

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.

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