# NTSB CHI07CA274: Cessna 140, N89492, Grant, NE, August 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2007, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Grant, NE - Coordinates: 40.871387, -101.73278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8714&lon=-101.7328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA274 ## Probable cause The directional control not obtained/maintained by the pilot during landing. Contributing factors were the crosswind, gust, and ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane received substantial damage on impact with a ditch during landing when the airplane veered off runway 15 (4,800 feet by 60 feet, concrete). The pilot stated that about 50 feet above the runway, the controls would repeatedly go from firm to mushy. At touchdown, the controls went mushy and a gust of wind hit the side of the airplane which then windmilled the airplane into the wind. The pilot reportedly was able to straighten the airplane, but the rear of the airplane fishtailed 2 or 3 times before departing off the east side of the runway. The airplane then traveled about 30 feet and impacted a ditch. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2007, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89492, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with a ditch during landing when the airplane veered off runway 15 (4,800 feet by 60 feet, concrete) at Grant Municipal Airport (GGF), Grant, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The local flight originated from GGF at 1550 mountain daylight time. The pilot stated about 50 feet above the runway, the controls would repeatedly go from firm to mushy. At touchdown, the controls went mushy and a gust of wind hit the side of the airplane which then windmilled the airplane into the wind. The pilot reportedly was able to straighten the airplane but the rear of the airplane fishtailed 2 or 3 time before departing off the east side of the runway. The airplane then traveled about 30 feet and impacted a ditch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89492](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89492), registered now, S/N 8524, 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: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8524 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Malmkar LTD - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GGF, Grant, NE - Destination: GGF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 85 total, 19 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20070817018229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070817018229A), Aug 17, 2007: Cessna 140, Grant, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 17, 2007 at 16:10 MST, a Cessna 140, N89492 attempted to land on runway 15 at Grant muncipal airport. The pilot reported that during landing… 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.