- Date
- July 3, 1999, 16:35 local (Jul 4, 1999, 00:35 UTC)
- Place
- Sitka, AK
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N3579VCessna 140
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 3, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19990703046739A
- Case key
- 46772
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors in the accident were a crosswind, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of airplane.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The certificated private pilot was practicing touch and go landings in a tail wheel equipped airplane. During the landing roll, a 90 degree crosswind from the left lifted the left wing. The pilot applied left aileron, and right rudder, but the tail of the airplane began to veer to the right, turning the nose of the airplane to the left. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing struck the runway surface. The airplane received damage to the right wing spar, and the right gear attach point. The pilot had accrued 86 hours total time, with 33.2 hours as pilot-in-command, and 31.2 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Factual narrative
On July 3, 1999, about 1635 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 140 airplane, N3579V, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Sitka Airport, Sitka, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the Sitka Airport about 1620.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 3, 1999, the pilot reported he was practicing touch and go landings on runway 29. During the landing roll, the pilot said a 90 degree crosswind from the left lifted the left wing. He applied left aileron, and right rudder, but the tail of the airplane began to veer to the right, turning the nose of the airplane to the left. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing struck the runway surface.
At 1648, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from Sitka was reporting, in part: Wind, 205 degrees (magnetic) at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 57 degrees F; dew point, 52 degrees F; altimeter, 29.81 inHg.
On July 9, 1999, the pilot notified the IIC that an inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the right wing spar, and the right gear attach point.
In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot listed his aeronautical experience. He indicated he accrued 86 hours total time, with 33.2 hours as pilot-in-command, and 31.2 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3579V
- Reported as
- Cessna 140
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 14748
- Engine
- Continental C-90-12-F, 90 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Little T. Smotherman
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- PASI
- Airport
- PASI · Sitka, runway 29, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 56
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 86 total · 31 in this make and model · 33 as pilot in command · 33 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 205° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PAS
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N3579V · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.