# NTSB CEN13CA189: Cessna 140, N90047, El Reno, OK, March 11, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2013, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: El Reno, OK
- Coordinates: 35.468055, -98.002502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4681&lon=-98.0025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86397/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86397
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA189

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the check pilot's delayed remedial action.

## 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 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)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: 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)

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot, who was being checked out in the airplane, pushed the control yoke forward to lift the tail off the ground. When the tail came up, he lost control, and the airplane ground looped. The check pilot tried to regain directional control, but the airplane went off the runway and flipped over, causing substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported no mechanical preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

During the takeoff roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the private pilot pushed the control yoke forward to lift the tail off the ground. When the tail came up, he lost control and the airplane ground-looped. The flight instructor, who was checking the pilot out in the airplane, tried to regain directional control, but the airplane went off the runway and flipped over causing substantial damage to the airframe. No mechanical issues were reported prior to the loss of control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90047](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90047-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N 9105, 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: 9105
- Airframe hours: 3686
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tailwheel Flight Instruction Plus LLC
- Registered owner: Tailwheel Flight Instruction Plus LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RQO, El Reno, OK
- Destination: RQO, El Reno, OK
- Airport: RQO, El Reno, runway 35, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 907 total, 42 in this make and model
- Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 186 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 18 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 20130311004119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130311004119A), Mar 11, 2013: Cessna 140, El Reno, OK, Substantial damage. During take-off roll, after tail lifted, aircraft ground looped to the right.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86397. 181 KB in all.

- Pilot and CFI Written Statements (item 1, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20CFI%20Written%20Statements-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.

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