CHI94LA278

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 120 · Manitowoc, WI · August 12, 1994

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 11, 1994, 19:58 local (Aug 12, 1994, 00:58 UTC)
Place
Manitowoc, WI
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N1987VCessna 120
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report January 25, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19940811021309A
Case key
9637

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the private pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll. A related factor is his lack of total experience.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Nose overLanding - roll
Brakes(normal) - improper use ofPilot in commandCause
Lack of total experiencePilot in commandFactor

Analysis

The pilot reported he made a normal three point landing in the tailwheel airplane. He stated during the landing roll he applied hard brakes and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported 62 hours total flight time, including 18 hours in the accident make and model airplane. His written statement indicated he had flown one hour in the accident make and model airplane within the 90 days preceding the accident. He passed his private pilot checkride six weeks before the accident in a tricycle landing gear airplane.

Factual narrative

On August 11, 1994, at 1958 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N1987V, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at the Manitowoc County Airport in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The private pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The pleasure flight originated from Sheboygan, Wisconsin about 1900.

The private pilot reported when he arrived at Manitowoc the winds were reported to be out of 340 degrees at 2 knots. He elected to land on Runway 35 (5,002' x 100', asphalt). He stated he made a normal three point landing in the tailwheel airplane, but during the landing roll he "...applied hard brakes...aircraft slowly...nosed over." The pilot estimated there was about 4,000 feet of runway remaining when the airplane nosed over. The private pilot reported 62 hours total flight time, including 18 hours in the accident make and model airplane. His written statement indicated he had flown 1 hour in the accident make and model airplane within the 90 days preceding the accident. He passed his private pilot checkride on June 23, 1994, in a Cessna 172 (tricycle landing gear).

Aircraft

Registration
N1987V
Reported as
Cessna 120
Category
Airplane
Serial number
14198
Airframe hours
2,395
Engine
Continental C-85-12F, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Magnus Aviation
Registered owner
410 Corporation
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · March 3, 1994 · 71 hours before
Departed
SBM · Sheboygan, WI
Airport
MTW · Manitowoc County, runway 35, 5,007 × 100 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
29
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
62 total · 18 in this make and model · 26 as pilot in command · 1 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
340° at 2 knots
Visibility
12 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
66 °F, dew point 57 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.