# NTSB DEN84LA283: Cessna 140, N77271, Butte, MT, September 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1984, 22:48 local (Sep 6, 1984, 04:48 UTC)
- Place: Butte, MT
- Coordinates: 45.999252, -112.439285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9993&lon=-112.4393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA283

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT TAXIED TO RWY 11 AND GOT OUT OF THE ACFT TO CHECK THE WIND. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING AT THE TIME. THE PILOT DECIDED THAT RWY 11 WAS THE MOST FAVORABLE RWY AND THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED. THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OFF THE ACCIDENT WERE FAVORING RWY 20. THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE DURING THE GROUND RUN HE FELT THE WIND 'PUSHING HARD ON THE ACFT AND IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT.' IN HIS ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE ACFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY AND THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77271](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77271-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 11484, 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: 11484
- Airframe hours: 3015
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Doyle L. Given
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1983, 32 hours before
- Destination: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Airport: BTM, Bert Mooney-Silver Bow Co, runway 11, 5,101 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 48 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTM

## 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 19840905071389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840905071389A), Sep 5, 1984: Cessna 140, Butte, MT, Substantial damage. Crosswind exceeded pilots and aircrafts limitations. Pilot lost directional control of airplane during takeoff.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.