# NTSB CHI97LA001: Cessna 140A, N5393C, Allegan, MI, October 3, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1996, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Allegan, MI
- Coordinates: 42.520992, -85.840652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5210&lon=-85.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10470/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA001

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot stated the airplane bounced slightly during the landing on runway 10.  The airplane then ground looped and came to rest inverted off the north side of the runway.  The pilot reported local winds were from the north at 6 knots.

## Factual narrative

On October 3, 1996, at 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140A, N5393C, operated by a private pilot nosed over while landing on runway 10 (3,496'x75') at the Padgham Airport, Allegan, Michigan. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The flight originated from Coldwater, Michigan, at 1330 edt.

The pilot stated that the airplane bounced "slightly" during the landing, ground looped and nosed over.

The accident site was viewed by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who reported the airplane came to rest inverted just off the north side of the runway near the intersection of the sod and paved runways.  The airplane came to rest on a heading of approximately 230 degrees.

The pilot reported that the local winds were from the north at 6 knots.  Winds reported at Kalamazoo, Michigan, 15 miles south- southeast of the accident site were reported as 080 degrees at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5393C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5393C), registered now, S/N 15526, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 140A
- Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15526
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Butler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1996, 4 hours before
- Departed: D96, COLDWATER, MI
- Destination: D96
- Airport: 35D, Padgham Field, runway 10, 3,498 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 146 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 15 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 19961003030849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961003030849A), Oct 3, 1996: Cessna 140A, Allegan, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off sie of runway and flipped over after landing. (.4)the pilot stated the airplane bounced slightly during the landing on runway 10. The airplane…

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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