# NTSB CHI96LA196: Cessna 140, N3609V, Potter, NE, June 2, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1996, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Potter, NE
- Coordinates: 41.210765, -103.309082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2108&lon=-103.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA196

## Probable cause

a fatigue fracture of the landing gear axle.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,axle - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The airplane was on takeoff run when the right landing gear axle broke.  It was not possible to maintain directional control and the gear leg dug into the terrain.  The airplane ground looped and the tail impacted the terrain. Subsequent examination of the axle revealed that the failure was due to fatigue cracking, but the source of the fatigue was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On June 2, 1996, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 140, N3609V, sustained substantial damage on takeoff from runway 31 (dry turf private strip), near Potter, Nebraska.  The right axle broke an the airplane ground looped.  The commercial pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident with the intended destination of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The pilot stated that the airplane was just about to liftoff when the right axle broke and the landing gear leg dug into the terrain.  The airplane ground looped and the tail wheel impacted the terrain.

The axle was removed and sent to the NTSB Office of Research and Engineering for examination.  The fracture of the axle was found to be indicative of fatigue cracking.  No specific determination of the source of the fatigue was determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3609V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3609V), registered now, S/N 14877, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14877
- Airframe hours: 3436
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard E. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1996, 7 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Airport: NONE, Bar J Lazy V, runway 31, 2,700 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 8,150 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19960602015089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960602015089A), Jun 2, 1996: Cessna 140, Potter, NE, Substantial damage. Right main landing ger axle broke during takeoff roll. (.4)the airplane was on takeoff run when the right landing gear axle broke. It was not possible to…

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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