On April 19, 1986, a Cessna 140 (registration N76460) was involved in an aviation accident near Remington, IN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff climb, the aircraft experienced engine failure at 200 ft AGL. The pilot executed a forced landing in a plowed field, resulting in the aircraft nosing over. Investigation revealed a non-standard fuel selector installed 90 degrees out of position.
Incident Overview
The aircraft was conducting a takeoff when its engine lost power while climbing through approximately 200 feet above ground level. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft into a forced landing in a plowed field. During the landing roll or touchdown, the aircraft nosed over.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he suspected the fuel selector was positioned incorrectly at the time of the engine failure.
Examination Results
A post-event examination of the aircraft revealed two significant findings regarding the fuel system. First, the fuel selector was not the original equipment from Cessna; it was a non-standard component. Second, that fuel selector had been installed with a 90-degree error in orientation, meaning it was rotated from its correct position. Additionally, the pilot had removed the carpeting that normally covers the fuel selector area. The carpet removal required the fuel selector handle to be taken off.