# NTSB FTW88FA024: Cessna 140, N72137, Bryan, TX, November 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1987, 21:00 local (Nov 8, 1987, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Bryan, TX
- Coordinates: 30.639568, -96.35968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6396&lon=-96.3597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA024

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT TOOK OFF AT NGT WITH A PASSENGER ABOARD. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REMAINED IN A LEFT TRAFFIC PATTERN & MADE A LOW APCH. WITNESSES RPRTD THE PLT THEN ENTERED A RGT PATTERN, BUT THE ACFT WAS LOWER & SLOWER THAN NORMAL AS IT WAS TURNING ON THE 2ND APCH TO RWY 13. THEY RPRTD THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP RGT BANK & APPEARED TO STALL. BEFORE RECOVERING FROM THE STALL, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR THE APCH END OF RWY 13. INITIAL IMPACT WAS ON A ROADWAY, THEN THE ACFT BOUNCED & HIT A UTILITY POLE BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ARPT PROPERTY. AFTER THE ACDNT, A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.149% (149 MG/DL). RPRTDLY, HE HAD RECEIVED 6.7 HRS OF NGT INSTRUCTION, BUT HAD ONLY FLOWN ABOUT 1 HR DRG THE PREV 90 DAYS. THE OWNER RPRTD THAT HE DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72137](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72137-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N 9304, 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: 9304
- Airframe hours: 2893
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tom Taylor
- Registered owner: Thomas Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1987, 43 hours before
- Airport: CFD, Coulter, runway 13, 3,240 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 10 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 19871107062419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871107062419A), Nov 7, 1987: Cessna STC140, Bryan, TX, Destroyed. Stalled making a steep turn on a go around. Hit the ground and then powerlines. Unauthorized flight with passenger.

## Other investigations on N72137 (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 MIA73DLG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DLG30), Dec 27, 1972: Cessna 140 (N72137), N Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage

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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