| Crash location | 47.198889°N, 94.752222°W |
| Nearest city | Laporte, MN
47.213845°N, 94.754168°W 1.0 miles away |
| Tail number | N3089N |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 14 Jul 2006 |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 120 |
| Additional details: | None |
On July 14, 2006, at 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N3089N, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with a runway marker and terrain following takeoff from runway 7 (2,400 feet by 80 feet, turf) at Robco Airport, Laporte, Minnesota. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Walker Municipal Airport, Walker, Minnesota.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane engine experienced a total loss of engine power about 10 feet above ground level. The airplane then impacted a runway sign and nosed over. Inspection of the airplane revealed no usable fuel in the fuel tanks. No anomalies associated with the loss of engine power were reported.
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was sent to the pilot via certified mail. A Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was not received from the pilot.
The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during takeoff. A contributing factor was the runway marker.