# Accident 20140521007249A: Cessna 140, Vacaville, CA, May 21, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 21, 2014, 09:15 local time
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Airport: Nut Tree Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.3733° N, 121.9569° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3733&lon=-121.9569&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2256N, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2256N-2018-03-01) (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: 450 total, 62 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA197) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140521007249A

## Narrative

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

ON MAY 21, 2014, AT ABOUT 0930 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME (PDT), A SINGLE-ENGINE CESSNA 140 AIRPLANE, N2256N, EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CLIMB OUT AFTER DEPARTING FROM RUNWAY 02 AT THE NUT TREE AIRPORT IN VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA. THE COMMERCIAL-RATED PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND ONE PASSENGER, WHO RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES DURING A FORCED LANDING WERE ONBOARD. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING OVER THE RUNWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET. IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE PILOT CYCLED THE THROTTLE TWICE TO NO AVAIL. WITH APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET OF RUNWAY REMAINING, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE. AFTER LANDING, THE PILOT OVER-REACTED AND APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKES, THE AIRPLANE NOSED-OVER, AND CAME TO REST INVERTED 500 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

THE PILOT REPORTED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WITH THE AIRPLANE THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION.

COMMENTS: A SEARCH OF FAA'S DATABASES DID NOT DISCLOSE A VIOLATION, ACCIDENT, OR INCIDENT HISTORY FOR THIS AIRMAN.

ON MAY 27, 2014 FAA A/W INSPECTOR STATED THE FOLLOWING:

DISCUSSION WITH ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WHO IS ALSO A CERTIFICATED A&P MECHANIC TO PULL THE SPARK PLUGS FOR OBSERVATION.  THE FINDINGS WERE IT APPEARED THE ENGINE WAS ?RUNNING RICH?, POSSIBLE DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FACTORS SUCH AS A RICH MIXTURE SETTING, TWO PILOTS ON BOARD, CLIMB OUT RATE OF CLIMB AND AIRSPEED TECHNICS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BE A CAUSE TO THE ENGINE SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER, NO OTHER NOTED DEFECTS.

THIS REPORT MAY BE REVISED WITH ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE.

## 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 WPR14CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA197), May 21, 2014: Cessna 140 (N2256N), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's use of excessive brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb, likely due to…

## Other reports on N2256N (2)

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

- [Accident 19820528019739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820528019739A), May 28, 1982: Cessna 140 (N2256N), Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Advised to stay on runway, pilot used taxiway and was blown over by jet blast from gate area. Tower failed to note.
- [Accident 19731103036529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731103036529A), Nov 3, 1973: Cessna 140 (N2256N), Willcox, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot stated encountered gust at 40 ft. aircraft tipped and stalled. Fuel cap vent reversed

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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