# NTSB CEN26LA193: Cessna 140, N2307V, Rice Lake, WI, May 20, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 20, 2026, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Rice Lake, WI - Coordinates: 45.4923, -91.7367 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4923&lon=-91.7367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 203035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203035/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203035 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported the tailwheel equipped airplane touched down on the main wheels and on the runway centerline. After touch down, an unusual amount of right rudder was required to keep the airplane straight for the calm wind condition, and as the airplane slowed, more right rudder was needed. When the tailwheel touched down, the airplane continued to veer toward the left until full right rudder had been applied. The pilot attempted to apply right brake to maintain directional control, but the brake did not function properly. The airplane subsequently entered a ground loop, departed the runway pavement, and struck a runway light before coming to rest. The pilot stated that after the accident, he raised the right wheel of the airplane, spun it, and then applied the pilot’s right toe brake. The wheel continued to spin freely until the brake was pumped several times. At that point, the brake functioned properly and the wheel stopped spinning. A postaccident examination conducted by a mechanic revealed damage to the fuselage near the right main landing gear attachment point. Further examination of both the left and right main wheel and brake assemblies was unable to identify any anomalies. The toe brakes functioned normally at that time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2307V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2307V), registered now, S/N 14543, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14543 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 1164 - Engines: Continental C90-14 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Karel Benjamin R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2025, 7 hours before - Departed: 21D, Lake Elmo, MN - Destination: RPD, Rice Lake, WI - Airport: RPD, Rice Lake Regional, runway 19, 6,700 × 99 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 296 total, 16 in this make and model, 296 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KRPD, 5 nm away - METAR: METAR KRPD 202335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/M01 A3029 ## 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 20260520005959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260520005959A), May 20, 2026: Cessna 140, Rice Lake, WI, Substantial damage. The airman was conducting a personal flight. The airman stated the flight was normal with no issues. Upon touchdown, the aircfaft veered off the left side of… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203035. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20450408&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20--%20CEN26LA193_redacted-Rel.pdf - Conversation summary -- pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20559327&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20BenjaminKarel_03Jun2026_redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 558 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20467113&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20--%20CEN26LA193-Rel.pdf - Mechanic statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20559482&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20RiceLakeAirCtr(JoeRobbins)_26May2026_redacted-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.