# NTSB CHI96LA159: Cessna 140, N89207, Brooklyn, MI, May 13, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1996, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Brooklyn, MI
- Coordinates: 42.100906, -84.240699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1009&lon=-84.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA159

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing.  Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, and the soft runway condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land on a sod runway when he made a hard landing and the airplane bounced. He then tried to recover the landing by making a three wheeled landing. The tail wheel hit first, followed by the main landing gear. The pilot applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over on the soft (sod) runway.

## Factual narrative

On May 13, 1996, at about 1800 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 140, N89207, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during the landing roll at Shamrock Field, Brooklyn, Michigan.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Napoleon, Michigan, at 1700 edt.

According to the pilot's written statement, he was attempting a main landing gear landing on runway 19 (2822' x 100'/sod), when he made a hard landing and bounced the airplane.  The pilot then tried to recover the landing by touching down on all three wheels.  The pilot said, "Tail of aircraft touched runway first.  Applied brakes, main wheels dug in soft (sod) field.  Aircraft nosed over, upside down... ."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N89207 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8229
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Investors Lc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1996, 40 hours before
- Departed: 3NP, NAPOLEON, MI
- Destination: 6G8
- Airport: 6G8, Shamrock Field, runway 19, 2,822 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 3 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 39 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 19960513010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960513010929A), May 13, 1996: Cessna 140, Brooklyn, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft bounced on landing and flipped over. (-23) the pilot was doing a wheel landing and the aircraft bounced upon touchdown, the pilot pulled back on the…

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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