# NTSB DEN87LA137: Cessna 140, N1677V, Sawyer, ND, May 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1987, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sawyer, ND
- Coordinates: 48.019721, -101.12976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0197&lon=-101.1298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT AND WERE LANDING FOR REFUELING. ON FINAL, THE ACFT BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT TURN AS LANDING FLAPS WERE SELECTED. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE TURN AND STRUCK TREES SHORT OF THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF LEFT TURN FROM RWY HEADING. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1677V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1677V-1989-07-29), registration cancelled 1989-07-29, S/N 13849 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13849
- Airframe hours: 1756
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Erickson
- Registered owner: Robert L Erickson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1986
- Departed: 16D, PERHAM, MN
- Destination: MOT, MINOT, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 10 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 19870530017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530017099A), May 30, 1987: Cessna 140, Sawyer, ND, Substantial damage. Veered left as flaps were set on final. Unable to correct. Struck trees short of runway. No mechanical failure.

## Other investigations on N1677V (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC79DTG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DTG07), May 26, 1979: Cessna 140 (N1677V), Bowman, ND, substantial damage

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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