# NTSB FTW93FA080: Cessna 140, N76970, Jefferson, TX, February 7, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 1993, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Jefferson, TX - Coordinates: 32.759223, -94.339973 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7592&lon=-94.3400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93FA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18640/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA080 ## Probable cause INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF AEROBATICS AT LOW ALTITUDE ## Analysis AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REMAINED IN LEFT TRAFFIC AND EXECUTED A HIGH SPEED LOW PASS AT APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY. AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED THE CENTER OF THE AIRPORT, A SHARP PULL UP TO APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET WAS OBSERVED AS THE AIRPLANE EXECUTED A RAPID ROLL TO THE RIGHT. POWER WAS HEARD BEING ADDED AS THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN NEAR THE COMPLETION OF THE ROLL. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. ACCORDING TO FRIENDS, THE PILOT FLEW NORTH AMERICAN P51S DURING WORLD WAR II AND OCCASIONALLY FLEW AEROBATIC EXHIBITIONS AT AIRSHOWS ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On Sunday, February 7, 1993, at approximately 1600 central standard time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N76970, was destroyed upon impact with terrain while maneuvering at the Manning Airport, near Jefferson, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the airport owner, N76970 arrived at the Manning Airport with another airplane as a flight of two. After visiting for about 25 minutes, the pilots of both airplanes decided to depart for their home base. The pilots of N76970 switched seats and the owner, who was at the controls at the time of their arrival, became the passenger in the right seat. After both crews boarded their airplanes, the other airplane failed to start due to a weak battery. The pilots of N76970, elected to takeoff while the other crew procured a battery cart to start their airplane. According to witnesses, the airplane departed runway 07, remained in left traffic, and executed a high speed low pass over the runway, at approximately 10 feet above the ground. As the airplane approached the center of the airport, a sharp pull up was observed to approximately 250 feet AGL as the airplane entered a right roll. Power was heard being added as the nose pitched down. The airplane was observed impacting in a wooded area near the airport boundary, in a left wing low attitude. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to friends, the pilot flew North American P51s during World War II, and was an accomplished aerobatic pilot who occasionally performed aerobatic exhibitions at air shows. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION A review of the airplane and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. The 1946 vintage airplane was purchased by Mr. Hunt on April 6, 1987. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An examination of the airplane and the terrain revealed that the airplane impacted the level ground on a measured heading of 120 degrees, with the fuselage coming to rest on a measured heading of 200 degrees. A red lens, identified as the wing tip navigation light for the left wing, was located at the initial point of impact. Approximately 58 feet from the initial point of impact, a small crater containing engine oil and paint transfers from the propellers and engine cowling was found. The propeller was found approximately 15 feet beyond that crater. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls. The wing flaps were found in the retracted position. Cockpit/cabin space was violated and approximately 80 percent of the space available was occupied by the instrument panel and engine. The engine was examined at the accident site. The carburetor and the propeller were separated from the engine and the engine sustained impact damage especially to the bottom of the engine, the exhaust system, and accessories. Engine continuity was established, the ignition system was found operational, and evidence of fuel was found in the fuel lines, left fuel tank, and carburetor The propeller was separated from the engine on the engine side of the crankshaft flange. One blade exhibited S bending and twisting, while the other was bent aft. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Autopsies were performed on both pilots. Toxicological tests were ordered and performed on the pilot. The autopsies were performed by Robert W. Palmer, M.D, in Marshall, Texas. The toxicology report on the pilot revealed levels of 7.800 (ug/ml, ug/g) Theophyline (asthma medication) found in the blood, and 31.800 (ug/ml, ug/g), Theophyline found in the Urine. According to Dr. Canfield of the Civil Aero Medical Institute, these levels were below therapeutic levels. ADDITIONAL DATA The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site, on February 8, 1993. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low pass - performed, pilot in command - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76970](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76970-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N 11416 (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: 11416 - Airframe hours: 2732 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hunt, Marion G. - Registered owner: Hunt, Marion G. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1992 - Departed: 6F7 - Destination: ATA, ATLANTA, TX - Airport: 6F7, Manning Airport, runway 7, 3,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GGG, 30 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 19930207001769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930207001769A), Feb 7, 1993: Cessna 140, Jefferson, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled on near vertical pullup after buzzing the runway after takeoff. Acrobatic pilot had performed at air shows. 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.