Cessna 140 accident near Newton, Kansas, March 26, 2019
On March 26, 2019 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1946 Cessna 140, registered N76268, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Newton, Kansas (Newton-City-County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power after the No. 1 connecting rod end separated as a result of oil starvation, which led to the forced landing and nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 2019 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Newton, Kansas · Newton-City-County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 Undesignat, built 1946 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N76268 · no longer on the register · serial 10676
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that no engine issues were detected during the run up. He stated that, during the takeoff, the climbout engine power was "good." On the turn to downwind, the pilot noticed a slight loss of engine power. He checked the throttle position and continued the downwind leg. The pilot considered landing on the crosswind runway but felt he had engine power to make a short 180° approach to the departure runway. During the turn to final, the engine had an additional power drop, "clattered" about 3-4 seconds, and subsequently stopped. The pilot landed straight ahead in a field, where the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage. A disassembly of the engine revealed that the camshaft was fractured in the area abeam the No.1 cylinder. The No. 1 connecting rod end was separated from its crankshaft journal, and the rod end exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. The liberated sections of connecting rod bearing material were found in the oil sump an exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. The oil transfer tube orifice for the No. 1 connecting rod bearing was smeared over with migrated connecting rod journal material. The migrated and smeared metal was drilled through to see if any debris was present; only metallic particles were present that were attracted by a magnet. No other blockages were found within the oil system. Scoring consistent with hard particle passage was observed within the oil pump housing. The oil filter was cut open and had one spot of dark-colored debris; no other debris found within the filter pleats. The oil suction pickup tube was disassembled and did not contain any debris. The No. 1 connecting rod end separation is consistent with oil starvation at the rod end.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,339 hours in all; 40 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 22, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 22, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,451 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12 (piston); 3,556 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EWK Newton KS at 10:15 pm
- Destination: EWK Newton KS
- Runway 17, 7,003 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from KEWK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on September 12, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 20 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Powerplants - Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.