# NTSB ANC99LA089: Cessna 140, N3579V, Sitka, AK, July 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1999, 16:35 local (Jul 4, 1999, 00:35 UTC) - Place: Sitka, AK - Coordinates: 56.729064, -135.000366 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7291&lon=-135.0004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46772 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46772/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA089 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3579V), registered now, S/N 14748, built 1948 (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: 14748 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990703046739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990703046739A), Jul 3, 1999: Cessna 140, Sitka, AK, No damage. (-23) On a touch and go landing, with a cross wind, the airplane veered left striking right wing tip and coming to rest on the nose and main gear. ## Other investigations on N3579V (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 SEA00LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA076), Apr 21, 2000: Cessna 140 (N3579V), Red Lodge, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: A high density altitude and inadequate preflight planning/preparation. Not attaining a proper climb rate, not maintaining a proper runway alignment, and gusting wind conditions were factors. 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.