# NTSB CHI85LA203: Cessna 140A, N3797V, Owosso, MI, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Owosso, MI
- Coordinates: 42.989215, -84.170013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9892&lon=-84.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA203

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT-IN-COMMAND ALLOWED THE PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT SEAT, A RATED PLT, TO LAND THE ACFT. THIS PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED. DURING THE SECOND GROUND LOOP THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AXLE SEPARATED FROM THE GEAR STRUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3797V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3797V-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 15218, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140A
- Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15218
- Airframe hours: 3833
- Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Keenan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1985
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: 5D3, Owosso, runway 28, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 110 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 19 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 15 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 19850519021349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519021349A), May 19, 1985: Cessna 140A, Owosso, MI, Minor damage. Ground looped on rollout. Pilot at controls had no time in aircraft. Left seat owner was letting other pilot land.

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.

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