Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 140 near Mount Sterling, KY — 2017-08-05

Final reportERA17LA268
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Date
2017-08-05
Location
Mount Sterling, KY, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 140
Registration
N89738
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while the airplane was in cruise flight about 20 minutes after departure, the engine lost total power. He made a forced landing to a field; after touchdown, the airplane went over a fence and down a hill before impacting a creek, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have switched to the right fuel tank earlier to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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