# NTSB CHI98LA325: Cessna 120, N76884, Benton, KS, August 11, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1998, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Benton, KS
- Coordinates: 37.780384, -97.100074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7804&lon=-97.1001&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 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA325

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertant excessive use of the toe brakes during the landing roll.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - directional control - attempted, pilot in command
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a soft field landing the airplane contacted a bump in the terrain at which time he felt the airplane rise up.  He stated he applied aft elevator control and used the rudder to maintain directional control. He continued to report he inadvertently applied the brakes while attempting to maintain rudder control.  When the airplane came to a stop, the tail lifted and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 1998, at 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N76884, operated by a commercial pilot nosed over while landing at the Benton Airport, Benton, Kansas.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from the Jabara Airport, Wichita, Kansas, at 1200 cdt.

The pilot reported he wanted to make a soft field landing so he lined the airplane up on the grass next to the runway.  He reported that after touching down and rolling several feet, the airplane contacted a bump in the terrain at which time he "...felt the airplane come up."  The pilot reported he applied aft elevator control and maintained rudder control.  He continued to report, "However I believe I may have placed my feet too high on the rudder and caught the toe brake."  He reported that as the airplane stopped, the tail lifted and the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76884](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76884-2003-12-19), registration cancelled 2003-12-19, S/N 11318, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11318
- Engines: Continental C-84 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sabris Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3KM, WICHITA, KS
- Destination: 1K1
- Airport: 1K1, Benton Airport, runway 34, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 762 total, 17 in this make and model, 631 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °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 19980811029649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980811029649A), Aug 11, 1998: Cessna 120, Benton, KS, Substantial damage. (.19)On August 11, 1998, at 0830 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N76884, operated by a commercial pilot nosed over while landing at the Benton Airport,…

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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