# NTSB ERA13LA224: Cessna 140A, N5314C, Newburgh, NY, April 26, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2013, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Newburgh, NY - Coordinates: 41.505554, -74.098335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5056&lon=-74.0983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86782/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86782 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA224 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control when the brakes bound and a subsequent ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the brakes by the pilot/owner. ## 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 attained/maintained (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) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 During the landing, the pilot/owner adjusted for the left crosswind until the airplane touched down on the runway. He applied the left brake and rudder to maintain directional control during roll, but the left brake "seemed to lock up," and the airplane ground-looped left. The right tire separated from the right landing gear wheel and burst. A review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that, during the most recent owner-assisted annual inspection, the left-side brake caliper was found seized. It was removed, cleaned, lubricated, reinstalled by the owner, operationally checked, and found to be in airworthy condition. An unsupervised postaccident examination of the left wheel and brake assembly by the owner revealed that the wheel and tire would rotate with some resistance, that the caliper slides were rusty, and that the lubrication applied during the annual inspection did not completely allow the calipers to reliably move freely, which resulted in the brake binding on the final roll. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2013, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140A, N5314C, experienced a loss of control during the landing roll at Stewart International Airport (SWF), Newburgh, New York. The certificated private pilot/owner and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the tower reported variable winds and he was cleared to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 27. On final approach, the wind sock indicated a direct left crosswind at 10 to 12 knots. The pilot adjusted for the crosswind utilizing the ailerons and rudder until the airplane touched down on the runway, then applied the left brake and rudder to maintain directional control during rollout. The left brake "seemed to lock," the empennage swung to the right, the right tire separated from the right landing gear wheel, and the airplane came to rest facing about 190 degrees from the original direction of travel. The pilot and two passengers exited the airplane without incident. Examination of photographs revealed the fuselage, wing, and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the airplane was rolled backwards during recovery from the accident site and the left brake "unbound itself." The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued October 4, 2011. He reported 245 total hours of flight experience, of which 35 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. A review of the airplane maintenance records, receipts, and emails revealed that the most recent owner/assisted annual inspection was completed on January 8, 2013, at 3243.4 total aircraft hours. During that inspection, the right side brake caliper o-ring was leaking but the pilot/owner chose to defer that maintenance. The left side brake caliper was found seized. It was removed, cleaned, lubricated, reinstalled, operationally checked, and found to be in airworthy condition. In an email, the owner detailed work he had performed during the annual to include reattachment of the brake calipers. After the accident, the pilot/owner disassembled and examined the left brake assembly prior to examination by either the FAA or the NTSB, and provided an email statement with his findings. His examination of the left brake caliper revealed rust on the caliper slides. In addition, he noted that while the wheel rotated, there was friction between the brake calipers and the disk. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook: Crosswind After-Landing Roll Particularly during the after-landing roll, special attention must be given to maintaining directional control by the use of rudder and tailwheel steering, while keeping the upwind wing from rising by the use ofaileron. Characteristically, an airplane has a greater profile, or side area, behind the main landing gear than forward of it. With the main wheels acting as a pivot point and the greater surface area exposed to the crosswind behind that pivot point, the airplane will tend to turn or weathervane into the wind. This weathervaning tendency is more prevalent in the tailwheel-type because the airplane's surface area behind the main landing gear is greater than in nosewheel-type airplanes. Ground Loop A ground loop is an uncontrolled turn during ground operation that may occur while taxiing or taking off, but especially during the after-landing roll. The pilot must exercise caution when applying corrective brake action because it is very easy to overcontrol and aggravate the situation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5314C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5314C-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 15434, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140A - Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15434 - Airframe hours: 3243 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2013, 15 hours before - Departed: SWF, Newburgh, NY - Destination: SWF, Newburgh, NY - Airport: SWF, Stewart International Airport, runway 27, 11,817 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 3,534 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: SWF ## 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 20130426007529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130426007529A), Apr 26, 2013: Cessna 140A, Newburgh, NY, Substantial damage. The pilot stated, ?conditions were clear and sunny, wind was reported by the tower as variable 280- 320. We were cleared for final on the 8000' paved runway… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86782. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 795 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record: Brake Teardown (item 3, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%3A%20Brake%20Teardown-Master.PDF - Most Recent Annual Inspection (item 4, .PDF, 953 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Most%20Recent%20Annual%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Airplane Discrepancy Sheet (item 5, .PDF, 776 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Discrepancy%20Sheet-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record: Annual "To Date" (item 6, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Annual%20%22To%20Date%22-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of Airplane Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: View of Wing Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20Wing%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.