# NTSB ATL84LA180: Cessna 140, N72115, Harrisonburg, VA, May 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1984, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrisonburg, VA
- Coordinates: 38.27988, -78.919609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2799&lon=-78.9196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA180

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED DURING A LANDG.  A MECHANIC, WHO EXAMINED THE ACFT, STATED THAT THE STRUT HAD A PREVIOUSLY EXISTING CRACK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.THE STRUT FAILED AT A HOLE WHERE THE STEP WAS ATTACHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72115](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72115), registered now, S/N 9280, 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: 9280
- Airframe hours: 2472
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marvin H. Showalter
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1983, 19 hours before
- Departed: CAMBRIDGE, MD
- Airport: SHD, Shenandoah Valley, runway 22, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 36 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHD

## 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 19840519034079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840519034079A), May 19, 1984: Cessna 140, Harrisonburg, VA, Substantial damage. Left main landing gear strut failed on the landing roll. Had a preexisting crack at a hole for the step attachment.

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.