# NTSB FTW94LA143: Cessna 140, N2302N, Hempstead, TX, April 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 1994, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Hempstead, TX - Coordinates: 30.090253, -96.080245 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0903&lon=-96.0802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19046 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19046/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA143 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THE TWO RUNWAYS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT NOT BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRSTRIP AND THE SOFT, WET TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT PLANNED TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT AN UNFAMILIAR PRIVATE/GLIDER STRIP. HE SET UP HIS APPROACH ON THE STRIP BETWEEN THE TWO RUNWAYS. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A SOFT WET AREA AND NOSED OVER. THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND LEFT WING STRUT WERE STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT FLEW HIS APPROACH TO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE MAIN STRIP. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT HE WAS LANDING IN THE UNIMPROVED AREA BETWEEN THE PARALLEL RUNWAYS. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 1994, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2302N, was substantially damaged during landing at Hempstead, Texas. The private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, that he was going to practice touch and go landings in his newly acquired airplane. He chose Hempstead Airport, a private/glider strip that he was not familiar with. According to the enclosed report, the pilot "landed on what looked to be main strip." However, it "turned out to be between strips." During the landing roll the airplane encountered a soft wet area and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing strut were structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2302N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2302N), registered now, S/N 12542, 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: 12542 - Airframe hours: 4689 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kieth H. Rutledge - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994 - Departed: 11R, BRENHAM, TX - Airport: 35R, Hempstead ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 8 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IAH, 47 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 19940423009309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940423009309A), Apr 23, 1994: Cessna 140, Hempstead, TX, Substantial damage. Elected practice landing on glider turb strip. Has divided strip. Pilot landed between strips. Nosed over soft sod. ## Other investigations on N2302N (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 MKC66F0218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0218), Aug 21, 1965: Cessna 140 (N2302N), Grand Forks, ND, 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. --- 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.