Cessna 140 accident near Daytona Beach, Florida, May 22, 2018
On May 22, 2018 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1946 Cessna 140, registered N89864, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Daytona Beach, Florida (Spruce Creek airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning back to the runway, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2018 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Daytona Beach, Florida · Spruce Creek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 UNDESIGNAT, built 1946 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N89864 · no longer on the register · serial 8909
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. Witnesses reported that, during the third touch-and-go, as the airplane was climbing about 200 to 300 ft above ground level near the end of the runway, the engine lost all power and the airplane turned back toward the runway before spiraling to the ground. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. Each of the wing fuel tanks was about 1/4 full at the accident site. The fuel tanks were not breached and about 1 tablespoon of water was found in both tanks. Both the airplane's operations manual and markings on the fuel gauges in the cockpit indicated that the pilot should not take off with less than 1/4 tank of fuel. A warning supplement issued by the airplane manufacturer stated that, in certain flight maneuvers, the fuel may move away from the fuel tank supply outlet. If the outlet is uncovered, fuel flow to the engine may be interrupted and a temporary loss of power may result. It is possible that the pilot initially departed with more than 1/4 tank of fuel; however, after the third touch-and-go landing, the fuel level was at or below 1/4 tank. During the initial climb after the touch and go, the fuel moved away from the fuel supply outlet line and starved the engine of fuel, resulting in a total loss of power. The airplane's position at the time of the loss of engine power did not allow for a suitable off airport landing location. Following the loss of power, it is likely that the pilot attempted to return to the runway and failed to maintain sufficient airspeed during the turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall.
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
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 735.2 hours in all; 46.7 in this make and model; 206 in the last 90 days; 62.4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 28, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,473.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 29, 2017; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,451 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200A (piston); 3,474 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7FL6 Daytona Beach FL at 11:30 pm
- Destination: 7FL6 Daytona Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 4,002 ft by 176 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from KEVB, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on May 15, 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 | Interview Summaries | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpt from Pilot Logbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Cessna Operations Manual | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpt from Cessna Safety Supplement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpts from Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.