# NTSB FTW87LA127: Cessna 140, N111NZ, Waco, TX, May 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1987, 19:40 local (May 24, 1987, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Waco, TX
- Location: 31.5493° N, 97.1467° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waco, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5493&lon=-97.1467&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA127

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT BRAKES WERE APPLIED DURING THE LANDING ROLL PRIOR TO THE TAILWHEEL MAKING GROUND CONTACT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER AND COME TO REST INVERTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111NZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N111NZ), registered now, S/N 12372, 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: 12372
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carol Towerton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1987, 30 hours before
- Departed: BKD, BRECKENRIDGE, TX
- Airport: PVT, Whiteknuckle, runway 14, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 325 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 7 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 19870524017839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870524017839A), May 24, 1987: Cessna 140, Waco, TX, Substantial damage. Applied brakes during the landing roll prior to the tailwheel touching down. Caused the aircraft to nose over.

## Other investigations on N111NZ (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 FTW94LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA148), May 8, 1994: Cessna 140 (N111NZ), Lancaster, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE TIE DOWNS AND PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE HAND PROPPING ENGINE START.

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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