# NTSB ATL96LA072: Cessna 140, N89297, Elkin, NC, March 29, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1996, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Elkin, NC
- Coordinates: 36.249946, -80.840545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2499&lon=-80.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA072

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The airplane was landing on runway 07, when the it began to veer to the left. The pilot stated that she applied rudder, but with no effect. The airplane went off the left side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulty with the airplane during the flight.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 1996, about 1350 eastern standard time, a Cessna 140, N89297, nosed over during the landing roll at Elkin Airport, Elkin, North Carolina.  The airplane was operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91, and visual flight rules.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The student pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The instructional solo flight had originated approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident.

The airplane was landing on runway 07, when the aircraft began to veer off to the left. The pilot stated that she applied rudder, with no effect.  The airplane went off the left side of the runway, nosed over and came to rest inverted.  The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulty with the aircraft during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89297](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89297), registered now, S/N 8323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8323
- Airframe hours: 1820
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Patricia H. Phillips
- Registered owner: Granduer Manufacturing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1995
- Departed: 2EF
- Airport: 2EF, Elkin, runway 7, 4,003 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 37 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 19960329009009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960329009009A), Mar 29, 1996: Cessna 140, Elkin, NC, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Ran off runway and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N89297 (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 MKC66D0017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0017), May 30, 1965: Cessna 140 (N89297), Lamberton, MN, substantial damage

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.