# NTSB WPR11LA369: Cessna 140, N2199N, Wilkeson, WA, August 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2011, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Wilkeson, WA - Coordinates: 47.129444, -122.055831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1294&lon=-122.0558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81391 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81391/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81391 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA369 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to water contamination in the fuel system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had washed the airplane the day prior to the accident. On the day of the accident he determined during the preflight inspection that the fuel and induction systems were not contaminated with water. The engine run-up was uneventful; however, when the airplane was about halfway down the runway during takeoff, the engine began to sputter. The pilot verified the positions of the fuel selector handle and carburetor heat control and pumped the throttle, which sustained engine power momentarily. The airplane could not sustain flight and the pilot subsequently force-landed it in nearby trees. During the postaccident engine inspection, no operational anomalies were noted. The pilot further reported that on previous occasions after washing the airplane the engine experienced similar instances of momentary power loss. It is likely that, although the pilot conducted an extensive preflight inspection, undetected water contamination in the fuel system resulted in a reduction of power during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2011, at 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2199N, collided with trees during a forced landing near Wilkeson, Washington. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The pilot, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight. The pilot reported in a written statement that he had washed the airplane the day before the accident. Prior to the accident flight, he did an extensive preflight and verified no water was in the fuel. He also verified that the scat tubing was free of moisture. The run up was uneventful and during takeoff, he brought the throttle to takeoff power and released the brakes. The pilot stated that about halfway down the runway, the engine began to lose power and sputter. He verified the fuel selector and carburetor heat positions and then began pumping the throttle. He was unable to sustain engine power and force-landed the airplane into trees. The pilot reported during a phone conversation following the accident, that when he had washed the airplane on prior occasions, the airplane had experienced momentary power interruptions which he had attributed to residual water. During the post accident inspection, a Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator test ran the engine using the airframe fuel system, fuel, and controls. The engine was test run from idle to 2,200 revolutions per minute with no operational anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2199N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2199N), registered now, S/N 12435, 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: 12435 - Airframe hours: 5793 - Engines: Continental Motors, Inc. O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Simon - Registered owner: John Simon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2011, 5 hours before - Departed: WN15, Wilkeson, WA - Destination: WN15, Wilkeson, WA - Airport: WN15, Burnett Landing Airport, runway 13, 2,500 × 110 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 917 total, 189 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KPLU, 10 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 20110804017129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110804017129A), Aug 4, 2011: Cessna 140, Buckley, WA, Substantial damage. On August 4, 2011, at approximately 0830 PDT, a Cessna 140, N2199N, collided with trees during a forced landing near Buckley, Washington. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N2199N (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA67D0284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0284), Jan 30, 1967: Cessna 140 (N2199N), Bothell, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81391. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site (Provided by AvTech Services) (item 4, .PDF, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Accident%20Site%20(Provided%20by%20AvTech%20Services)-Master.PDF 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.