# NTSB WPR23LA193: Cessna 140, N77J, American Falls, ID, May 20, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2023, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: American Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.811906, -112.82105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8119&lon=-112.8210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192211/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192211
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA193

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent selection of the off position of the fuel tank selector inflight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot the engine lost all power immediately after switching fuel tanks during initial climb. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot told investigators that she may have inadvertently moved the fuel selector to the OFF position and that she observed the fuel selector in the OFF position following the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77J), registered now, S/N 11489 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85-12](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12) (registry code 17124, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11489
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KU01, American Falls, ID
- Destination: KLWL, Wells, NV
- Airport: U01
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 408 total, 175 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KPIH, 13 nm away
- METAR: KPIH 201853Z 29005KT 10SM CLR 26/08 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP192 T02610078

## 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 20230520007499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230520007499A), May 20, 2023: Cessna 140, Amercian Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot filled both tanks with fuel, completed pre inspection, checked oil levels and drained fuel sump. Performed pre checklist and departed from U01. As pilot…

## Other investigations on N77J (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 LAX01LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA111), Mar 8, 2001: Cessna 140 (N77J), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing.

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192211. 3.4 MB in all.

- Photos (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16347842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20N77J-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16361560&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N77J%20MOR%20Pilot-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 3, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16361828&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N77J%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Duty officer memorandum of record (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16367444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA193%20MOR-Rel.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.

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