# NTSB FTW89LA003: Cessna 140, N11191, Fairfax, OK, October 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1988, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Fairfax, OK
- Coordinates: 36.569789, -96.69918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5698&lon=-96.6992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
  - powerplant - seized (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A MUDDY, PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND THE PLT RECEIVED A FRACTURE TO THE SKULL JUST ABOVE HIS RIGHT EYE. DURING ENGINE TEARDOWN, THE HEAD FROM THE EXHAUST VALVE ON THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER WAS FOUND STICKING SIDEWAYS IN THE HEAD OF THE NUMBER ONE PISTON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11191](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11191-1992-04-15), registration cancelled 1992-04-15, S/N 13007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13007
- Airframe hours: 2055
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Max D. Ludwig
- Registered owner: Ludwig, Max And Irma J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: PNC, PONCA CITY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 478 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881011046179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881011046179A), Oct 11, 1988: Cessna STC140, Fairfax, OK, Substantial damage. Engine siezed after exhaust valve broke and wedged in top of piston.

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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