# NTSB CHI91LA066: Cessna 140, N1978V, So. Sioux City, NE, January 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1991, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: So. Sioux City, NE
- Coordinates: 42.459487, -96.410118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4595&lon=-96.4101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14986/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA066

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY AND A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, WITH INTENT TO GET RECURRENT, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE NARROW, SNOW PACKED RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1978V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1978V-2008-09-05), registration cancelled 2008-09-05, S/N 14189, 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: 14189
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cloud Dancers, doing business as Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 7K8, Martin, runway 32, 3,300 × 20 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 367 total, 52 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: SUX, 5 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 19910113000369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910113000369A), Jan 13, 1991: Cessna 140, So Sioux City, NE, Substantial damage. Veered off runway into snow during practice landing. Tried go around but snow too deep. Struck trees.

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.