# NTSB CEN09CA112: Cessna 140, N89418, Highmore, SD, December 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 24, 2008, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Highmore, SD - Coordinates: 44.411666, -99.353057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4117&lon=-99.3531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA112 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the flare while landing in deep snow. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during approach to his private landing strip, the airplane ballooned. He stated that when the airplane came back down it was angled about 20 degrees from the runway centerline. He said that at this point there was less than 100 feet to the edge of the runway and the right wheel contacted snow about 10 to 12 inches deep. He stated that the deep snow "pulled [him] in" and that the airplane then nosed over. The damage to the airplane consisted of a bent rudder and a bent vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during approach to his private landing strip, the airplane ballooned. He stated than when the airplane came back down it was angled about 20 degrees from thr runway centerline. He said that at this point there was less than 100 feet to the edge of the runway and the right wheel contacted snow about 10 to 12 inches deep. He stated that the deep snow "pulled [him] in" and the airplane nosed over. The damage to the airplane consisted of a bent rudder and a bent vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: N89418 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8450 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2008 - Departed: PVT, Highmore, SD - Destination: PVT, Highmore, SD - Airport: PVT, Quirk Field (Private), runway 13, 2,000 × 80 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 24 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 9 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PIR, 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 20081224854879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081224854879A), Dec 24, 2008: Cessna 140, Highmore, SD, Minor damage. (-23) On December 24, 2008 at 1315 a Cessna 140 was coming in to land at a Private airstrip about 12 se of Highmore, SD. The pilot was coming in too fast and… 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.