# NTSB FTW02LA045: Cessna 140, N72701, Gilchrist, TX, November 24, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 2001, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Gilchrist, TX - Coordinates: 29.509937, -94.520645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5099&lon=-94.5206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA045 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during takeoff and his selection of a downwind runway, which resulted in a degradation of performance and the airplane impacting an embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot took off to the south from a grass field, which measured approximately 760 feet in length and was located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. The northern half of the field was mowed, whereas the southern half of the field was not. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he felt like the airplane's engine was not producing full power. The airplane neared the end of the field where it contacted a two-foot embankment with its tail wheel and nosed over inverted into water. The pilot reported that he left the carburetor heat in the ON position during takeoff. He also reported that he took off with a "slight tailwind." At the time of the accident, a nearby weather observation facility reported the wind from the northwest at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 2001, at 1020 central standard time, a Cessna 140 single-engine airplane, N72701, was substantially damaged when it impacted an embankment during takeoff from a grass field near Gilchrist, Texas. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane departed to the south from a grass field, which measured approximately 760 feet in length and was located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. The northern half of the field was mowed, whereas the southern half of the field was not. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he felt like the airplane's engine was not producing full power. The airplane neared the end of the field where it contacted a two-foot embankment with its tail wheel and nosed over inverted into water. The FAA inspector stated that the vertical stabilizer, rudder, wings, and one of the lift struts sustained substantial damage. In a written statement provided by the pilot, he reported that he left the carburetor heat in the ON position during takeoff. He also reported that he took off with a "slight tailwind." At 0952, the weather observation facility located at the Scholes International Airport, Galveston, Texas (located 28 miles southwest of the accident site), reported the wind from the northwest at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72701](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72701-2007-05-02), registration cancelled 2007-05-02, S/N 9880, 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: 9880 - Airframe hours: 3335.4 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert F. Lake - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2001, 17.6 hours before - Departed: NONE, Gilchrist, TX - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 760 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 19, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 3,689 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,466 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: GLS, 28 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 20011124036879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011124036879A), Nov 24, 2001: Cessna 140, Gilchrist, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 24, 2001, at 1020 central standard time, a Cessna 140 single-engine airplane, N72701, was substantially damaged when it impacted an… ## Other investigations on N72701 (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 CHI04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA004), Oct 3, 2003: Cessna 140 (N72701), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the strong,… 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.