# Accident 20100109026179A: Cessna 140, Chico, CA, January 9, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 9, 2010, 08:45 local time
- Place: Chico, CA
- Airport: Ranchero
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.7167° N, 121.8667° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7167&lon=-121.8667&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3160N, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3160N-2012-09-27) (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
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 444 total, 201 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA106) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100109026179A

## Narrative

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

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.

## 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 WPR10CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA106), Jan 9, 2010: Cessna 140 (N3160N), Chico, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.

## Other reports on N3160N (1)

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

- [Accident 19910707026239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910707026239A), Jul 7, 1991: Cessna 140 (N3160N), Montague, CA, Substantial damage. Loud bang. Lost power. Nosed over on forced landing. NR1 cylinder exhaust valve broke.

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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