# NTSB CEN22LA142: Cessna 140, N72831, Kokomo, IN, February 28, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 27, 2022, 19:00 local (Feb 28, 2022, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Kokomo, IN - Coordinates: 40.4333, -86.2033 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4333&lon=-86.2033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 104771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104771/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104771 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA142 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to perform the takeoff on the soft, wet, turf runway, with the tailwheel equipped airplane, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after landing the tailwheel equipped airplane on the turf airstrip, local residents advised him of soft spots in the runway surface due to recently melted snow. The pilot said that he walked the areas and taxied on the taxiway and turf runway without any issues. He taxied to the end of the runway and prepared for takeoff, which included choosing a takeoff path that appeared dryer. About 450 ft into the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a soft spot on the runway which slowed the airplane, raised the tail, and the airplane “jerked” to one side. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane then nosed over. When asked if any mechanical problems with the airplane existed prior to the accident the pilot replied that there were none and that the airplane just sunk into the soft turf during the takeoff. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the engine mount, right wing, and right wing strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72831](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72831), registered now, S/N 10017, 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: 10017 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 5147 - Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2021 - Destination: GUS, Peru, IN - Airport: 8I3, Glenndale, runway 36, 2,048 × 110 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 1,840 total, 1,353 in this make and model, 1,745 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KOKK, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KOKK 272356Z AUTO 28007KT 10SM CLR 02/M02 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP243 6//// T00171017 10044 20017 53008 FZRANO PNO $= ## 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 20220227002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220227002969A), Feb 27, 2022: Cessna 140, Kokomo, IN, Substantial damage. On February 27, 2022, at 6:15 pm EST, N72831, a Cessna 140 [privacy data omitted] was taxiing at the glendale airport (8I3) Kokomo, IN. There was a loss of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104771. 2.2 MB in all. - Record of conversation with pilot (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14131027&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20CONVERSATION-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14131131&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14131037&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.