# NTSB WPR25LA099: Cessna 140, N4185N, Salome, AZ, February 9, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 9, 2025, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Salome, AZ - Coordinates: 33.748833, -113.624 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7488&lon=-113.6240&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - 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: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 199727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199727/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199727 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA099 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (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. - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during preflight inspection, the fuel tank gauges both read full, however, he did not visually verify the fuel quantity in the fuel tanks before takeoff. Following an uneventful flight, while on final approach to the runway, the engine suffered a total loss of power. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restore engine power before attempting a forced landing on a dirt road. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees, fence posts, and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that after the accident, he observed that the left fuel tank had no fuel, and the right fuel tank contained only a trace amount of fuel. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4185N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4185N), registered now, S/N 13656, 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: 13656 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3515.6 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 2022 - Departed: 2AZ1, Salome, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 2AZ1, Indian Hills Airpark, runway 26, 2,200 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 891 total, 290 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KBXK, 51 nm away - METAR: METAR KBXK 091715Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/M00 A3008 RMK AO2= ## 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 20250209000749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250209000749A), Feb 9, 2025: Cessna C-140, Salome, AZ, Substantial damage. Upon returning to 2AZ1 airspace and turning base for runway 26, the engine began to sputter. The pilot suspected carburetor icing and immediately applied carb… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199727. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18457666&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 440 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18458493&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.