# NTSB DEN86FA207: Cessna 140, N76541, Taos, NM, July 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1986, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Taos, NM
- Coordinates: 36.380947, -105.570266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3809&lon=-105.5703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N76541 TOOK OFF ON RWY 04 ON A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE DAY. THE ACFT WAS SEEN CLIMBING WITH THE NOSE HIGH NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT JUST CLEARED SOME ELECTRICAL LINES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY AND THEN WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND DOWN TO A HEIGHT VERY CLOSE TO THE GROUND. WHEN THE ACFT BANKED TO THE LEFT IT APPEARED THAT THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE IMPACTING THE GROUND AND THEN THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. THERE WAS NO POST ACCIDENT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76541](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76541-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 10977, 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: 10977
- Airframe hours: 2101
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn Bruce Jacobs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1985, 46 hours before
- Departed: SKX, TAOS, NM
- Destination: 1W1, AURORA, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SKX, Taos Municipal, runway 4, 5,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 50 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19860725035229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860725035229A), Jul 25, 1986: Cessna 140, Taos, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft impacted the ground after takeoff. Pilot used inappropriate runway and misused flaps. Density altitude.

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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