# NTSB CEN12LA386: Cessna 140A, N9497A, Walnut Ridge, AR, June 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 2012, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Walnut Ridge, AR - Coordinates: 36.124721, -90.925003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1247&lon=-90.9250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84050 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA386 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84050/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84050 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA386 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering a whirlwind or dust-devil during the landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered an "abrupt gust of wind" during the landing flare that lifted the tail, placing the airplane into a nose-low attitude. The airplane subsequently impacted the runway and nosed over onto its back. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The pilot reported that during the accident flight he saw several "dust devils" or “whirlwinds” in the agricultural fields surrounding the airport and attributed the wind gust encountered during the landing flare to one of those events. A postaccident review of the available wind data revealed the prevailing wind was from the south at 11 knots, which resulted in a left quartering crosswind of about 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2012, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna model 140A airplane, N9497A, was substantially damaged while landing at Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (KARG), Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. His passenger was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The flight departed the pilot's private airstrip near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, about 1200. The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 22 (6,001 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) when the accident occurred. He noted that he had completed 4 uneventful landings before the accident landing. The pilot stated that the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered an "abrupt gust of wind" during the landing flare that lifted the tail, placing the airplane into a nose-low attitude. The airplane subsequently impacted the runway and nosed over onto its back. The engine firewall, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The pilot reported that during the accident flight he saw several "dust devils" in the agricultural fields surrounding the airport and attributed the wind gust encountered during the landing flare to one of these whirlwinds. At 1255, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 180 degrees at 11 knots; clear skies; visibility 10 miles; temperature 31 degrees Celsius; dew point 18 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.97 inches of mercury. On June 22, 2012, an inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane. The examination confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit controls to the respective control surfaces and tailwheel assembly. Additionally, no mechanical anomalies were noted during a function test of the brake system. The postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9497A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9497A-2018-06-04), registration cancelled 2018-06-04, S/N 15318, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140A - Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15318 - Airframe hours: 4084 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 2011 - Departed: PVT, Walnut Ridge, AR - Destination: KARG, Walnut Ridge, AR - Airport: KARG, Walnut Ridge Regional Airport, runway 22, 6,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 10,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KARG ## 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 20120621012069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120621012069A), Jun 21, 2012: Cessna 140A, Walnut Ridge, AR, Substantial damage. On jun 21, 2012 at approximately 1200 local hours, N9497A, a Cessna 140A, serial number 15318, was landing at Walnut Ridge regional airport in Walnut Ridge,… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84050. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Summary of NTSB Interview of Pilot and Passenger (item 3, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20NTSB%20Interview%20of%20Pilot%20and%20Passenger-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Walnut Ridge Police Department Incident Report (item 5, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Walnut%20Ridge%20Police%20Department%20Incident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 6, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Email Correspondence Between NTSB and Pilot (item 7, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Correspondence%20Between%20NTSB%20and%20Pilot-Redacted.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.