# NTSB FTW91LA014: Cessna 140, N2021N, Roanoake, TX, November 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1990, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Roanoake, TX
- Coordinates: 32.999813, -97.229042 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9998&lon=-97.2290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA014

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF FLYING TAIL WHEEL (CONVENTIONAL) GEAR AIRPLANES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN HIS NEWLY ACQUIRED TAIL WHEEL TYPE AIRPLANE. ON THE THIRD LANDING THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF TWELVE FLIGHT HOURS IN TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2021N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12257
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wing, Thomas W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 52F
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: 52F, Northwest Reg., runway 17, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 93 total, 12 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Observed at: FTW, 18 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 19901112050149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901112050149A), Nov 12, 1990: Cessna 140, Roanoke, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing the tail wheel type aircraft. Ground looped off the runway.

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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