# NTSB CEN20CA194: Cessna 140, N90023, Appleton, WI, May 26, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2020, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Appleton, WI - Coordinates: 44.256389, -88.519996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2564&lon=-88.5200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101327/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101327 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA194 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control while landing a tailwheel airplane. ## 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) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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 The pilot planned to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 21. He reported that there were some gusty winds, but a normal day. After touchdown, the tail of the airplane rose and continued until the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the top of the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing strut. After the airplane was righted, the airplane was towed back to its hangar without issue. The pilot reported the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot planned to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 21. He reported that there were some gusty winds, but a normal day. After touchdown, the tail of the airplane rose and continued until the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the top of the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing strut. After the airplane was righted, the airplane was towed back to its hangar without issue. The pilot reported the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90023](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90023-2021-10-18), registration cancelled 2021-10-18, S/N 9081, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (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: 9081 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2019 - Departed: ATW, Appleton, WI - Destination: W34, Shiocton, WI - Airport: ATW, Appleton International, runway 21, 8,002 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 228.3 total, 53.4 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KATW ## 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 20200526007179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200526007179A), May 26, 2020: Cessna 140, Appleton, WI, Substantial damage. On may 26, 2020 a Cessna 140, N90023 departed Appleton WI for a pleasure flight under 14 CFR part 91 rules. After take-off, the pilot proceeded to stoughton WI… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101327. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.