# NTSB CHI95LA261: Cessna 140, N74PB, Mecosta, MI, August 5, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1995, 20:50 local (Aug 5, 1995, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Mecosta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.610828, -85.23011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6108&lon=-85.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA261

## Probable cause

the student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the pilot-in-command's (CFI) inadequate remedial action.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

While on short final, the student allowed the airspeed to deteriorate. The instructor pilot took control of the airplane with control inputs and the addition of power. The airplane descended and landed hard to the left of the runway collapsing the right gear.

## Factual narrative

On August 4, 1995, at 2050 eastern daylight time,a Cessna 140, N74PB, registered to Air Care Ministries of Scotts, Michigan, and piloted by a dual student and flight instructor, landed hard to the left of runway 9 (2,042' x 100' dry/turf) at Mecosta Morton Airport, Mecosta, Michigan.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The student received minor injuries and the instructor pilot reported no injuries.  The dual instructional 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Evart, Michigan, at 1948.

The instructor stated that the student allowed the airspeed to deteriorate while on short final.  He then attempted to take control with control inputs and the addition of power.  The airplane descended from approximately 15 to 20 feet above ground level and landed hard, first on the right wingtip followed by the right main landing gear, which collapsed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N74PB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10681
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Care Ministries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9C8, EVART, MI
- Destination: 0C5
- Airport: 27C, Mecosta Morton, runway 9, 2,042 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,260 total, 162 in this make and model, 1,168 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 52 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 19950804022079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950804022079A), Aug 4, 1995: Cessna 140, Mecosta, MI, Substantial damage. Stalled 15 feet AGL on touch and go. CFI not able to recover. (-23) student pilot was doing take off & landings, aircraft stalled approximately 15 ft above…

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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