# NTSB ATL94LA117: Cessna 140, N89972, Bainbridge, GA, June 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1994, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9049° N, 84.5730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bainbridge, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9049&lon=-84.5730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA117

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING PRACTICE AGRICULTURAL SPRAY RUNS, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE RPM REDUCED TO LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS BOGGED IN THE SOFT TERRAIN, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On June 10, 1994, at about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89972 was substantially damaged following a nose over during an emergency landing near Bainbridge, Georgia. The commercial/instructor pilot received serious injuries, and the student pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Harrell's Aviation Services, Incorporated of Bainbridge, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local agricultural training flight.

The pilot stated that while practicing agricultural spraying with a student, the aircraft engine revolutions per minute reduced to less than that required to maintain flight. An emergency landing was accomplished to a field, and during the roll out the aircraft nosed over in the soft terrain.

Examination of the aircraft engine by the local maintenance facility did not reveal any reason for the aircraft engine loss of power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89972](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89972), registered now, S/N 9024, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9024
- Airframe hours: 3251
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Harrell'S Aviation Service
- Registered owner: Balkcom, Wayne J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994, 58 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 160 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 25 nm away

## 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 19940610045929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940610045929A), Jun 10, 1994: Cessna 140, Bainbridge, GA, Substantial damage. During ag practice spray runs struck ground and nosed over. Reported power loss. No engine defects found.

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.

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