# NTSB DEN84LA129: Cessna 140, N89984, Aurora, CO, April 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1984, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.739707, -104.860031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7397&lon=-104.8600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT SUDDENLY GROUND LOOPED DURING THE LANDING & DEPARTED THE RWY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT GEAR LEG HAD COLLAPSED AT SOME TIME DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE. THE LEFT GEAR LEG PIN, WHICH WAS FOUND SHEARED, HAD A DARK DISCOLORATION IN THE OUTER 1/3 DIAMETER OF THE PIN WHERE IT HAD EVENTUALLY FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89984](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89984-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 9036, 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: 9036
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward Phillips
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: O1V, Aurora, runway 14, 5,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F

## 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 19840415016299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840415016299A), Apr 15, 1984: Cessna 140, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Left gear collapsed due to main gear leg bolt failure. The bolt had discoloration indicating previous crack.

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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