# NTSB ERA13CA208: Cessna 140, N76688, Lancaster, SC, April 18, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 18, 2013, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, SC
- Coordinates: 34.802501, -80.68 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8025&lon=-80.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86675/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86675
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA208

## Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind and his failure to turn off the carburetor heat during a go-around, which resulted in degraded engine performance and the airplane’s subsequent collision with trees at the end of the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Engine controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that before he departed for a local flight, the wind was “squirrelly and swapping around” and that at takeoff the wind favored runway 21. After flying for about 15 to 20 minutes, the pilot returned to the departure airport and flew over it to observe the windsock, which indicated the wind had shifted and now favored runway 3. He entered the airport traffic pattern for runway 3 and perceived that the ground speed was “a little fast” during the approach to land. He continued the approach and touched down about 1/3 down the runway and perceived that the groundspeed was now “real fast.” Because the airplane was tailwheel equipped, the pilot did not apply the brakes; instead, he added power to go around, reporting that the engine responded normally. The pilot said that the airplane barely cleared the power lines off the end of the runway with marginal airspeed, and then stalled/mushed into the trees beyond the power lines. The pilot also reported that he was not aware of any preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operations of the airplane, engine, or engine systems. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor heat was on, the fuel selector was off, and the throttle was full forward. A weather observation taken about 23 minutes after the accident at an airport located about 13 nautical miles north of the accident airport indicated that the wind was from 200 degrees at 5 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that before departure for a local flight the wind was “squirrelly and swapping around” and at takeoff the wind favored runway 21. After flying for about 15 to 20 minutes he elected to return to the departure airport and flew over it to observe the windsock which indicated the wind seemed to favor runway 03. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 03, and while on approach for a full-stop landing, he perceived the groundspeed was, “a little fast.” He continued the approach and touched down 1/3 down the runway, but at touchdown perceived the groundspeed was, “real fast.” Because the airplane was tailwheel equipped he did not apply the brakes, and he added power to go-around reporting that the engine responded OK. The flight barely cleared powerlines ahead with marginal airspeed, and with tall trees ahead, the airplane stall/mushed into trees. Although a bucket truck came to rescue him from the tree, it was too short to reach him. He donned a harness and shimmied out of the tree and also reported he was not aware of any preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane, engine, or engine systems. A postaccident inspection of the airplane following recovery revealed the carburetor heat remained on, the fuel selector was off, and the throttle was full forward. An aviation surface analysis report from Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) at 1453, or about 23 minutes after the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 200 degrees at 5 knots. The EQY Airport is located about 13 nautical miles and 019 degrees from the accident airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76688-2014-03-04), registration cancelled 2014-03-04, S/N 10861, 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: 10861
- Airframe hours: 2159
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wiese Jerry W
- Registered owner: Wiese Jerry W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2012
- Departed: SC76, Lancaster, SC
- Destination: SC76, Lancaster, SC
- Airport: SC76, Unity Aerodrome, runway 03, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 334 total, 70 in this make and model, 271 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: EQY, 13 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 20130418006599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130418006599A), Apr 18, 2013: Cessna 140, Lancaster, SC, Substantial damage. During the landing flare out, the pilot realized that he had a tail wind faster than he had anticipated and realized that he was running out of runway. At this…

## Other investigations on N76688 (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 ATL06CA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA056), Mar 29, 2006: Cessna 140 (N76688), Pageland, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing resulting in the airplane veering to the right, colliding with a runway light, and subsequent nose over.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86675. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Record of NTSB Conversation with the Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot-Redacted.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.

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