# NTSB ANC21LA034: Cessna 140, N1685V, Palmer, AK, April 25, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 24, 2021, 20:00 local (Apr 25, 2021, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.2831, -148.4241 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2831&lon=-148.4241&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 103006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103006/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103006 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his excessive braking which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he was landing on a remote unimproved gravel airstrip that was a “little soft.” After touchdown and during the landing rollout the airplane slowed rapidly, the tail began to rise and the airplane nosed-over sustaining substantial damage to fuselage, left lift strut, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident may have been prevented if he had selected a more suitable landing site or applied less brakes after touchdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1685V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1685V), registered now, S/N 13857 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13857 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3744.3 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2021 - Destination: PAMR, Anchorage, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,344 total, 124 in this make and model, 681 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 10 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 250353Z AUTO 25006KT 10SM CLR 14/M03 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP139 T01441033 TSNO ## 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 20210424006659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210424006659A), Apr 24, 2021: Cessna 140, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Airman departed paaq in his C-140 and was practicing landings on a gravel bar near the knik glacier. Upon landing the aircraft began slowing rapidly and the… ## Other investigations on N1685V (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 ANC09CA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA037), May 5, 2009: Cessna 140 (N1685V), Haines, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to practice takeoff and landings on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over on takeoff. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103006. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12283651&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20dms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (unknown source) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12283395&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.