Pilot Debrief

Cessna 140 near Port Townsend, WA — 2017-10-30

Final reportWPR18LA020
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Date
2017-10-30
Location
Port Townsend, WA, USA
Airport
0S9
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Registration
N72339
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection; at that time, the fuel tanks contained 12 gallons of fuel total, with 7 gallons in the left tank and 5 gallons in the right tank. The pilot then departed to practice touch-and-go landings with the fuel selector in the right tank position. During the fourth takeoff about 300 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly stopped developing power. With little time to restore power, the pilot pitched the airplane down slightly, then switched to the left tank, but was unable to restore power. He then switched back to the right tank but was again unable to restore power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing; the airplane impacted a stand of trees before coming to rest on its left side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and left wing. The left fuel tank was breached during the accident sequence and no fuel was observed in the tank. The right fuel tank, which had not been breached, contained about 1 ½ gallons of aviation fuel. The airplane's operations manual does not list an unusable fuel amount. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have ensured adequate fuel in both tanks before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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