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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 5, 2000 · Cessna 140 · N73044

Post Mills, VT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Post Mills, VT
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N73044
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC00LA219

The pilot reported that he departed, flew a cross-country flight, and entered the traffic pattern while operating on the left fuel tank. On base leg, he switched to the right tank. After turning final, he initiated a go-around due to conflicting traffic. The engine sputtered and lost power on the go-around. There was insufficient altitude to reach a suitable landing area, and the airplane settled into the trees in a nose down attitude. The fuel selector was turned off as the airplane began hitting the trees. Examination revealed the left fuel tank was empty, and when the cap on the right fuel tank was loosened, fuel gushed out around the edges of the cap. When the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank, fuel flowed from the right tank to the sump, which was broken, and the odor of fuel was detected in the air. The airplane had operated for 1 hour, 43 minutes on a fuel tank with a listed capacity of 12.5 gallons.

NTSB Probable Cause

was the pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in power loss due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 2000, about 1845 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 140, N73044, was substantially damaged after it experienced a power loss during a go-around at Post Mills Airport, Post Mills, Vermont. The certificated airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was returning home from Rockland, Maine, and entered the traffic pattern at Post Mills for landing. The takeoff and en route phase of the flight had been conducted with the fuel selector on the left tank. While on base leg for Runway 04, the fuel selector was repositioned to the right tank, which was full. On final approach, when the airplane was about 150 to 200 feet above the runway, an ultralight pulled in front of the pilot and he initiated a go-around. The pilot first turned to the right, to parallel the runway on the right side, after which, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he turned the fuel selector, magneto switch, and master switch, each to off as the airplane began brushing the tops of the trees. The airplane descended through trees and came to rest on the ground in a nose low attitude. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the airplane and reported the fuel selector was in the OFF position. There was no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground, and interviews with local fire department personnel, who initially responded to the accident site, revealed the odor of fuel was not detected. The left fuel tank was empty, and when the cap was loosened on the right tank, fuel gushed out around the edges of the cap. When the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank, fuel flowed from the right tank to the sump, which was broken, and the odor of fuel was detected in the air. According to the pilot, he had been airborne for 1 hour, 43 minutes. According to the Cessna 140 owner's manual, the capacity of the wing fuel tanks was 12.5 gallons each.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 EDT
Nearest AirportPost Mills (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length2900 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN73044
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data