# NTSB BFO94LA072: Cessna 140, N76545, Clarion, PA, April 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 1994, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Clarion, PA - Coordinates: 41.210769, -79.380836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2108&lon=-79.3808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8914 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8914/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA072 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERRUN OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLISION WITH A BERM. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis AS THE PILOT BEGAN THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT HE 'OVERCONTROLLED' THE AIRPLANE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE HEADING OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND AGAIN TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ROLL OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. IT NOSED OVER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 1994, about 1840 hours eastern daylight time, N76545, a Cessna 140, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Clarion County Airport, Clarion, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries, and the sole passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. A witness observed the pilot conduct a pre-flight inspection, taxi to the end of runway 6, and perform an engine run-up. The airplane was then observed to begin its takeoff roll. About 500 feet down the runway, the tail of the airplane began to rise. The airplane was then observed to swerve off the left side of the runway and down an embankment. The airplane nosed over and was found upside down about 60 feet from the left edge of runway. The pilot stated that as he added full power and began the takeoff roll, the airplane began to drift to the left. He "overcontrolled" the airplane with right rudder and the airplane began to veer to the right. He attempted to regain directional control, but was unable. He stated that "... a ground loop was inevitable ..." so he closed the throttle, lowered the flaps, and observed the airplane veer off the left side of the runway and down an embankment. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the airplane was found inverted at the base of an embankment that borders the north side of the runway. The airplane came to rest about 1,000 feet from the approach end of runway 6. Both wings and the vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. Tire skid marks consistent with witness observations were found on the runway. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76545](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76545-1997-08-20), registration cancelled 1997-08-20, S/N 10981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10981 - Airframe hours: 2420 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kahle, Donald - Registered owner: Kahle, Donald - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1993, 7 hours before - Airport: I11, Clarion County, runway 6, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DUJ, 20 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 19940422009169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940422009169A), Apr 22, 1994: Cessna 140, Clarion, PA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Over corrected. Began ground loop. Aborted. Ran down embankment. Nosed over. 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.