# NTSB SEA92LA217: Cessna 140, N2553N, Moab, UT, September 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1992, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Moab, UT
- Coordinates: 38.530006, -109.550155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5300&lon=-109.5502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA217

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING FROM INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TERRAIN CONDITION (DITCH) IN THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A VFR X-COUNTRY FLT WITH ONE USEABLE FUEL TANK AND CALCULATED HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO REACH THE DESTINATION WITH RESERVE FUEL. HE MADE AN APPROACH TO LAND AT THE DESTINATION, DECIDED TO GO-AROUND, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE TURN TO CROSSWIND.  THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  THE ACFT IMPACTED A DITCH DURING LANDING ROLL AND NOSED OVER.  EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THERE WAS NO USABLE FUEL IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2553N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2553N), registered now, S/N 12809, built 1947 (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: 12809
- Airframe hours: 3052
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hering, Karl H.
- Registered owner: Hering, Karl H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1991, 69 hours before
- Departed: 1L7, ESCALANTE, UT
- Airport: CNY, Canyonlands

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 219 total, 137 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 60 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 19920925042199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920925042199A), Sep 25, 1992: Cessna 140, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. Departed with left fuel tank empty due fuel leak. Fuel stravation on go around at Moab. Low fuel right tank imported

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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