# NTSB CHI89LA089: Cessna 140, N77201, Terre Haute, IN, May 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1989, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Terre Haute, IN
- Location: 39.4506° N, 87.3070° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TERRE HAUTE RGNL (HUF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4506&lon=-87.3070&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA089

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77201-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 11663, 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: 11663
- Airframe hours: 2221
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mueller, Melvin F.
- Registered owner: Mueller, Melvin F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1988, 67 hours before
- Departed: HUF, TERRE HAUTE, IN
- Destination: NONE, NEW DOUGLAS, IL
- Airport: HUF, Hulman Reg., runway 5, 9,020 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 344 total, 185 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF

## 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 19890512011409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890512011409A), May 12, 1989: Cessna 140, Terre Haute, IN, Substantial damage. Right main tire went flat on takeoff roll, ground looped into the crosswind. Tire innertube was deteriorated.

## Other investigations on N77201 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI72DEA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DEA08), Jul 6, 1971: Cessna 140 (N77201), Lebanon, IN, substantial damage

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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