# Accident 20030509017649A: Cessna 140, Suffolk, VA, May 9, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 9, 2003, 14:45 local time
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Airport: Suffolk Municipal Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Sfl Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.6125° N, 76.6253° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6125&lon=-76.6253&mi=10
- Aircraft: N72942, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72942-2003-08-27) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 18,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA102) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030509017649A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON MAY 9, 2003, ABOUT 1445 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 140, N72942, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DUE TO CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN IN THE VICINITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA. THE PILOT, MR. DAVID MILLER, WAS PRACTICING A FORCED LANDING INTO A WHEAT FIELD WITH SLIGHTLY RISING TERRAIN. DURING THE LOW ALTITUDE GO-AROUND, THE MAIN GEAR STRUCK THE WHEAT, FORCING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER, WHICH DAMAGED THE PROPELLER, RIGHT WING, RIGHT WING STRUT, ENGINE MOUNTS, RUDDER AND VERTICAL STABILIZER. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## 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 NYC03LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA102), May 9, 2003: Cessna 140 (N72942), Suffolk, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of his altitude from the wheat field during the execution of a go-around.

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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