# NTSB SEA90LA087: Cessna 140, N72592, Washougal, WA, May 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1990, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Washougal, WA
- Coordinates: 45.610229, -122.229484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6102&lon=-122.2295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO REMAIN IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. COLLISION WITH A TREE WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND EVENTUALLY QUIT. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL TANK AND IN THE CARBURETOR. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72592](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72592-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 9764, 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: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9764
- Airframe hours: 2869
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cummings, David
- Registered owner: Douglas W Keepers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: 0S6, ORCHARDS, WA
- Destination: 4S2, HOOD RIVER, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 710 total, 350 in this make and model, 635 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19900524017329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900524017329A), May 24, 1990: Cessna STC140, Washougal, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff. Crash landed in trees. Found water in fuel. Had sat out in heavy rain.

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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