# NTSB SEA90LA050: Cessna 140, N2197V, Vancouver, WA, February 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1990, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Vancouver, WA
- Coordinates: 45.629558, -122.519996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6296&lon=-122.5200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA050

## Probable cause

ENGINE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO MOISTURE DAMAGE TO THE COILS IN THE MAGNETOES. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT UNDERGONE CURRENT MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS AND WAS BEING FERRIED FOR MAINTENANCE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE ON A FERRY PERMIT TO A MAINTENANCE FACILITY THE ENGINE EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNSUCESSFUL IN RESTARTING THE ENGINE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. DURING AN ENGINE INSPECTION THE MAGNETOS WERE BENCH TESTED AND BOTH FAILED DURING THE INITIAL RUN. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT MOISTURE MAY HAVE PENETRATED THE MAGNETOS AND DAMAGED THE COILS. THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT UNDERGONE ANY INSPECTIONS SINCE NOVEMBER 1981. THERE WERE NOT OTHER REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2197V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2197V), registered now, S/N 14426 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14426
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Bogar, Floyd
- Registered owner: Biberstein, John W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1981, 30 hours before
- Departed: SUNSET HILLS, OR
- Destination: WA10, CAMAS, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 7,300 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 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 19900225002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900225002889A), Feb 25, 1990: Cessna 140, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route. Struck fence on landing. Aircraft not flown 8 years. Both mags failed. Coil damage by moist

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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