# Accident 19980325004209A: Cessna 140, Norman, OK, March 25, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 25, 1998, 12:00 local time
- Place: Norman, OK
- Airport: University Of Oklahoma
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.2096° N, 97.4403° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2096&lon=-97.4403&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2044N, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2044N-2014-09-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 140 (registry code 2071602, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C85 series (registry code 17008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Reported engine: CONT C8512
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 544 total, 452 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA159) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980325004209A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

RUNWAY 17 IN USE BUT ELECTED USE 21 CROSSWIND FORCED 140 OFF RUNWAY INTO A DITCH. GUST EXCEEDED CROSSWIND COMPONENT (.4)THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WESTHEIMER AIRPORT, NORMAN, OKLAHOMA. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE HOURS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED "TERRIFIC" WINDS WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE A HANGER.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE WINDS WERE RECORDED FROM 190 DEGREES AT 24 KNOTS AND GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS.  THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAXI TO RUNWAY 17 FOR TAKE-OFF.  AFTER THE PILOT OBSERVED THE WIND SOCK HE ASKED THE TOWER CONTROLLER IF RUNWAY 21, WAS MORE IN FAVOR OF THE WIND CONDITIONS.  THE CONTROLLER INFORMED THE PILOT THAT HE COULD USE RUNWAY 21.  AS SOON AS THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED RUNWAY 21, THE WIND "BLEW THE AIRPLANE," OFF RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND IT BEGAN TO MOVE ACROSS A DRAINAGE DITCH THAT IS 60 FEET WIDE.  THE AIRPLANE TURNED 180 DEGREES, SUCH THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PUT INTO A TAIL WIND SITUATION, "WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO HIT THE DITCH."  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST UPRIGHT EXTENDING TWO FEET INTO THE FAR END OF THE DRAINAGE DITCH.(-23) THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF ON RUNWAY 21 IN A STRONG, GUSTY CROSS WIND (WIND FROM 190 DEGREES AT 24 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS). AFTER BEGINNING THE TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT LEFT THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT AND CONTINUED ACROSS THE AIRPORT PROPERTY, TRAVELLING IN A LARGE (APPROXIMATELY 1/8 MILE RADIUS) TURN UNTIL IT WAS HEADED DOWNWIND IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION. IT THE CROSSED TAXIWAY "B" AND STRUCK THE FAR SIDE OF A LARGE DRAINAGE DITCH WITH THE LANDING GEAR AND BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF THROUGHOUT THIS MANEUVER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW98LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA159), Mar 25, 1998: Cessna 140 (N2044N), Norman, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a ditch. A contributing factor was the high crosswind.

## Other reports on N2044N (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19920125003929I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920125003929I), Jan 25, 1992: Cessna 140 (N2044N), Duncan, OK, Minor damage. Wheels caught tall grass while taxiing to ramp. Aircraft flipped over.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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