# NTSB CHI94LA278: Cessna 120, N1987V, Manitowoc, WI, August 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1994, 19:58 local (Aug 12, 1994, 00:58 UTC)
- Place: Manitowoc, WI
- Coordinates: 44.08974, -87.670104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0897&lon=-87.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA278

## 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

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1987V-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 14198 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14198
- Airframe hours: 2395
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940811021309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940811021309A), Aug 11, 1994: Cessna 120, Manitowoc, WI, Substantial damage. Nosed over using too much brakes landing the tail dragger. Low time in type and new private pilot.

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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