# NTSB CHI86LA043: Cessna 140, N4155N, Rochester, IN, December 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1985, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, IN
- Coordinates: 41.059391, -86.189643 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0594&lon=-86.1896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - cooling system,cowling - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

UPON TAKEOFF AND AFTER REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF APPROX TEN FEET THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COWL BECAME UNLATCHED AND WHIPPED UP INTO THE AIRSTREAM, BLOCKING THE PILOTS FORWARD VIEW AND CAUSING SOME CONTROL PROBLEMS. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND RAN OFF THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. THE AIRCRAFT HIT A SNOWBANK AND FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE COWL LATCHES APPEARED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY BEFORE AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4155N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4155N), registered now, S/N 13626, built 1947 (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: 13626
- Airframe hours: 1706
- Engines: Continental C85-7-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ned Bemenderfer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1985
- Airport: RCR, Fulton County, runway 11, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 199 total, 199 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F

## 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 19851207061069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851207061069A), Dec 7, 1985: Cessna 140, Rochester, IN, Substantial damage. Cowling came open on liftoff. Aborted but ran off the runway into a snowbank and flipped over.

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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