# NTSB WPR24LA224: Cessna 140, N3043S, Harmony, WY, July 3, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 3, 2024, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Harmony, WY - Coordinates: 41.19391, -105.78581 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1939&lon=-105.7858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194611 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194611/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194611 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA224 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power as a result of the pilot's inadvertent placement of the fuel selector to the "off" position. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that, while maneuvering about 300 ft above ground level, he chose to switch the fuel selector from one tank to the other, and inadvertently switched it to the off position. Subsequently, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing onto rough terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3043S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3043S), registered now, S/N 12709, 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 C85-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12f) (registry code 17125, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12709 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3871 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2024 - Departed: KLAR, Laramie, WY - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 725 total, 400 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KLAR, 9 nm away - METAR: KLAR 031453Z AUTO 19005KT 10SM CLR 18/01 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP119 T01780006 50002 ## 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 20240703008869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240703008869A), Jul 3, 2024: Cessna 140, Laramie, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot switched fuel selector to the off position instead of the opposite fuel tank. He was at 300 feet altitude and didn't have time to switch the selector… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194611. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17408692&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17406884&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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. --- 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.