20100109026179A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Cessna 140 · Chico, CA · January 9, 2010

Date: January 9, 2010 · 08:45 local
Place: Chico, CA
Airport: Ranchero
Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N3160N
NTSB investigation: NTSBWPR10CA106
Reported as: Cessna 140
Reported engine: Continental C85 series
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 1
Pilot’s certificate: Commercial pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 444 total201 in this make and model23 in the last 90 days

N3160NRegistration cancelled Sep 27, 2012 · Cessna 140S/N 13418 · Built 1947 Airframe modelCessna 140 Engine modelContinental C85 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Accident involved the operation of a Cessna 140, N3160N, approximately 08:45 local on January 9, 2010, in the vicinity of the Ranchero Airport Chico, CA. The pilot in command departed from the Ranchero Airport into instrument meteorological conditions and decided to return back to the airport and while maneuvering at a low altitude to maintain visibility, the pilot lost sight of the runway and came into contact with trees resulting to this accident.

As the FAA filed it

ACCIDENT INVOLVED THE OPERATION OF A CESSNA 140, N3160N, APPROXIMATELY 08:45 LOCAL ON JANUARY 9, 2010, IN THE VICINITY OF THE RANCHERO AIRPORT CHICO, CA. THE PILOT IN COMMAND DEPARTED FROM THE RANCHERO AIRPORT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND DECIDED TO RETURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE TO MAINTAIN VISIBILITY, THE PILOT LOST SIGHT OF THE RUNWAY AND CAME INTO CONTACT WITH TREES RESULTING TO THIS ACCIDENT.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB WPR10CA106Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportChico, CAThe pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.Jan 9, 2010 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N3160N · 1

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

Accident 19910707026239AFcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise · Montague, CALoud bang. Lost power. Nosed over on forced landing. NR1 cylinder exhaust valve broke.Jul 7, 1991 · Substantial damage