On March 2, 1985, a Cessna 140 (registration N89128) was involved in an aviation accident near Hawesville, KY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to locate the intended airport while above a cloud layer, which led to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot flying from Lordsburg, NM, to Mansfield, OH, lost engine power due to fuel exhaustion while searching for Hancock County Airport in Hawesville, KY, after becoming obscured by clouds.
What happened
The aircraft was operating on a flight from Lordsburg, New Mexico, with a destination of Mansfield, Ohio. The pilot had intended to refuel at Hancock County Airport in Hawesville, Kentucky. During the search for this airport, the aircraft encountered a cloud layer that obscured the ground and the airfield.
While attempting to locate the airport above the cloud cover, the engine lost total power. The pilot reported that the loss of power was caused by fuel exhaustion. The inability to visually identify the airport while trapped above the clouds contributed to the depletion of the fuel supply.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the power loss. Examination of the flight plan and pilot statements confirmed the intended route and the decision to refuel at Hancock County Airport. The mechanical condition of the engine was consistent with fuel starvation rather than mechanical failure.
Findings
Fuel exhaustion resulted from the aircraft being unable to locate the destination airport while above a cloud layer.
The pilot's inability to visually acquire the airfield prevented timely refueling.
The weather conditions, specifically the cloud cover, played a critical role in the navigation error and subsequent fuel depletion.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to locate the intended airport while above a cloud layer, which led to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.