# NTSB CEN14CA370: Cessna 120, N76097, Midland, MI, July 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2014, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Midland, MI - Coordinates: 43.663055, -84.26139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6631&lon=-84.2614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89677/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89677 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA370 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and his delayed application of engine power while on short final which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he kept the airspeed to a minimum while on short final because he intended to conduct a short field landing. He reported that as the tailwheel equipped airplane cleared the trees on the approach end of the runway, a "significant sink rate" developed. The pilot applied power, but it was insufficient to arrest the descent rate. The airplane landed hard on the main wheels and the propeller impacted the grass runway. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he kept the airspeed to a minimum while on short final because he intended to conduct a short field landing. He reported that as the tailwheel equipped airplane cleared the trees on the approach end of the runway, a "significant sink rate" developed. The pilot applied power, but it was insufficient to arrest the descent rate. The airplane landed hard on the main wheels and the propeller impacted the grass runway. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and empennage. The pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76097](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76097-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 10494, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10494 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3232 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kepner Charles M - Registered owner: Kepner Charles M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2013 - Departed: IKW, Midland, MI - Destination: MOP, Mount Pleasant, MI - Airport: N/A, Private, runway 270, 3,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review September 3, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 188 total, 188 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: IKW, 3 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 20140716011239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140716011239A), Jul 16, 2014: Cessna 120, Midland, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that he experienced a high sink rate during landing, he also reported that he was using a short field landing approach. Pilot stated that when… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89677. - NTSB 6120-1 Pilot Report (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%206120-1%20Pilot%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of inverted airplane on the runway (item 2, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20inverted%20airplane%20on%20the%20runway%0D%0A-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.