# NTSB CHI96LA111: Cessna 140, N76632, Ulysses, KS, March 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 1996, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Ulysses, KS - Coordinates: 37.570251, -101.349143 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5703&lon=-101.3491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10212 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10212/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA111 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and his improper use of brakes and elevator control, while aborting the takeoff. A factor relating to the accident was the gusty wind condition. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - abort - initiated, pilot in command - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate training, pilot in command ## Analysis During takeoff from a private field, the pilot encountered a gust of wind and decided to abort the takeoff after the airplane drifted to the right of the runway. He used a combination of braking and forward stick, while aborting the takeoff, and said that the airplane nosed over. The pilot said he was never taught how to perform an aborted takeoff. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 1996, at 1710 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 140, N76632, registered to Satanta Flying Service, Inc., of Satanta, Kansas, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during the takeoff roll from a private airport east of Ulysses, Kansas. The pilot and pilot rated passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on filed. According to the pilot's written statement, he said that he was departing from a private airfield on runway 18. The airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left around one of the last buildings located along the narrow airstrip (20 feet wide runway). The pilot decided to abort the takeoff after drifting to the right of the runway. The pilot stated "... A combination of overbraking to keep aircraft on runway and forward stick caused the aircraft to nose over... ." The pilot also told the IIC, in a telephone conversation on April 2, 1996, that he was never taught how to perform an aborted takeoff. Twenty minutes before the accident occurred, Garden City Airport, Kansas located 38 miles northeast, reported wind conditions, 210 degrees at 7 knots. In a telephone conversation between the IIC and the instructor pilot on April 10, 1996, he said that the pilot had problems with the use of brakes and needed additional time in the airplane. The instructor pilot also said that the pilot was told that private fields in the area were off limits for the Satanta Flying Service's airplanes. The instructor pilot said that on the day of the accident, Satanta Flying Service was reporting calm winds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76632](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76632), registered now, S/N 11072, 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: 11072 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Satanta Flying Services, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: 1K9, SATANTA, KS - Airport: PVT, Smith (Private Field), runway 18, 2,500 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 66 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GCK, 34 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 19960315005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960315005059A), Mar 15, 1996: Cessna 140, Ulysses, KS, Substantial damage. Drifted by gust on takeoff on narrow strip. Aborted. Over braked with forward yoke. Nosed over. Unauthorized strip. 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.