# NTSB ERA11CA322: Cessna 140A, N1137D, Quincy, FL, May 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2011, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Quincy, FL - Coordinates: 30.597778, -84.55722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5978&lon=-84.5572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79282 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA322 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79282/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79282 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA322 ## Probable cause The private pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: illness/injury](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012010): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012010/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot stated that the private pilot had just purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane and asked the commercial pilot to accompany him on a flight around the airport traffic pattern in order to familiarize himself with it. The commercial pilot stated that the private pilot exhibited difficulty taxiing the airplane due to weakness on the left side of his body from a stroke sustained several years prior. The private pilot taxied to the runway and applied full engine power to take off; during the takeoff roll the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass on the right side of the runway. The commercial pilot stated that he attempted to apply control inputs to correct the airplane's path, but the airplane nosed over and the propeller impacted the ground. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and right wing. The investigation found no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot stated that the private pilot had just purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and asked the commercial pilot to accompany him on a flight around the airport traffic pattern in order to familiarize himself with the airplane. The commercial pilot stated that the private pilot exhibited difficulty taxiing the airplane due to weakness on one side of his body from a stroke sustained several years prior. The private pilot taxied to the runway and applied full engine power to takeoff, and during the takeoff roll the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass on the right side of the runway. The commercial pilot stated that he attempted to apply control inputs to correct the airplane's path, but the airplane nosed over, and the propeller impacted the ground. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and right wing. The inspector stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1137D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1137D-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 15700 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140A - Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15700 - Engines: Continental Motors C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert G Bevil - Registered owner: Robert G Bevil - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2J9, Quincy, FL - Destination: 2J9, Quincy, FL - Airport: 2J9, Quincy Municipal Airport, runway 32, 2,964 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 0 in this make and model - Other flight crew; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 5,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: TLH, 16 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 20110526010209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110526010209A), May 26, 2011: Cessna 140A, Quincy, FL, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted], Earlier that morning, purchased this aircraft. [privacy data omitted] Wanted to conduct three take off's & landings. The passenger,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79282. 356 KB in all. - Memorandum for Record - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Statements to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF 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.