# NTSB ANC11CA040: Cessna 140, N89424, Chickaloon, AK, May 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 28, 2011, 17:00 local (May 29, 2011, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.811389, -147.50917 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8114&lon=-147.5092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 79265 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79265/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79265 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off downwind from unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed from a short, rough field. He said he elected to depart with a tailwind due to the slope of the takeoff area. About 100 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered a stronger tailwind, and stopped climbing. The pilot did not turn away from the rising terrain because he thought the airplane would stall. The airplane was unable to out-climb the rising terrain, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was departing from a short, rough, field. He said he elected to depart with a tailwind due to the slope of the takeoff area. About 100 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered a stronger tailwind, and stopped climbing. The pilot did not turn away from the rising terrain because he thought the airplane would stall. The airplane was unable to out-climb the rising terrain, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89424](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89424-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 8456, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8456 - Airframe hours: 4027 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bryan K Holland - Registered owner: Bryan K Holland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2009 - Departed: PASP, Chickaloon, AK - Destination: AK88, Sterling, AK - Airport: PASP, Sheep Mountain, runway 05, 2,270 × 10 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 363 total, 15 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110528012329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110528012329A), May 28, 2011: Cessna 140, Sheep Mountain, AK, Substantial damage. While taking off at smu downslope and downwind a gust of wind from the rear caused loss of aileron control and caused the aircraft to crash into the trees.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79265. 152 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.