# NTSB CEN11LA595: Cessna 140, N72688, Monmouth, IL, August 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2011, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Monmouth, IL - Coordinates: 40.929721, -90.631111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9297&lon=-90.6311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81601 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA595 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81601/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81601 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA595 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane when the airplane's tail inadvertently became airborne during the landing roll and that he was unable to regain control before the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest upside down on the runway centerline. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. Although the pilot attributed the cause of the accident to his inadvertently landing with a tailwind, a review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind would have resulted in a left crosswind of about 5 knots and a negligible tailwind component. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2011, at 1245 central daylight time, a Cessna model 140 airplane, N72688, was substantially damaged while landing at Monmouth Municipal Airport (C66), Monmouth, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local flight departed at 1200. The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 2 when the accident occurred. The airplane's tail inadvertently became airborne during the landing roll, and he was unable to regain control before the airplane nosed over. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest upside down on the runway centerline facing the opposite runway heading. The fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. The pilot stated that he likely landed with a tailwind. He added that the accident could have been prevented had he determined the wind direction and speed from the airport's wind sock before landing. The nearest aviation weather observation station with recorded historical weather information was at Galesburg Municipal Airport (KGBG), about 10.5 miles east of the accident site, which was equipped with an automated surface observing system (ASOS). At 1235, the KGBG ASOS reported the following weather conditions: wind 330 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 28 degrees Celsius; dew point 11 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.04 inches of mercury. A review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind had been from the north-northwest between 4 and 7 knots during the previous four hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72688-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 9864, 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: 9864 - Airframe hours: 2806 - Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 2011 - Departed: C66, Monmouth, IL - Destination: C66, Monmouth, IL - Airport: C66, Monmouth Municipal Airport, runway 02, 2,899 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 416 total, 22 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KGBG, 9 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 20110825018429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110825018429A), Aug 25, 2011: Cessna 140, Monmouth, IL, Substantial damage. While landing on runway 02 at the Monmouth Municipal Airport (C66), and during the rollout, the tail of the aircraft began to lift. The pilot lightly applied… ## Other investigations on N72688 (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 FTW66D0149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66D0149), Jul 15, 1965: Cessna 140 (N72688), Cashion, OK, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81601. 860 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo 01 - Accident Site Overview Showing Airplane and Airport Windsock (item 4, .PDF, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2001%20-%20Accident%20Site%20Overview%20Showing%20Airplane%20and%20Airport%20Windsock-Master.PDF 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.