# NTSB ERA26LA021: Cessna 140, N2812N, Plymouth, CT, October 11, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 11, 2025, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, CT - Coordinates: 41.632922, -73.048308 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6329&lon=-73.0483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 18, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201911/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201911 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA021 ## Probable cause The plot’s failure to account sufficiently for the decrease in the airplane’s takeoff performance due to the wet turf runway, which resulted in a collision with a log barrier and subsequent nose over after aborting the takeoff. ## 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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting a short field takeoff on a wet turf runway that was 2,005-ft-long. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane would not climb into ground effect and felt as if the one of the wheels was on the ground. Recognizing that the airplane would not be able to accelerate in ground effect, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. As the airplane approached a log barrier at the departure end of the runway, the pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane, but the left main landing gear wheel slid on the wet grass. The airplane subsequently impacted the log barrier at low speed, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut, vertical stabilizer, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the pilot’s description of the takeoff, it is likely that the wet runway condition reduced the airplane’s acceleration and resulted in the airplane not climbing into ground affect as otherwise expected during the takeoff from the relatively constrained turf runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2812N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2812N), registered now, S/N 13073, built 1947 (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: 13073 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4286.5 - Engines: Continental Aerospace Technologies C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: N41, Mount Tobe, runway 17, 2,005 × 135 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 352.3 total, 196.7 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 38.7 in the last 90 days, 19.5 in the last 30 days, 1.9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: OXC, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KOXC 111956Z 14009KT 10SM BKN024 OVC035 17/12 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP242 T01670122 $= ## 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 20251011020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251011020059A), Oct 11, 2025: Cessna 140, Waterbury, CT, Substantial damage. A Cessna 140, 2 place single engine aircraft struck a pole marking the end of the runway while attempting an aborted take-off from runway 17 at N41 mt tobe… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201911. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19552207&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N2812N%206120.1%20Pilot_Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident_Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19552449&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Redacted-Rel.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.