# NTSB FTW94LA307: Cessna 140, N89511, Nenana, AK, September 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1994, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Nenana, AK
- Coordinates: 64.470771, -148.570556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.4708&lon=-148.5706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA307

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF THE BRAKES DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AIRPLANE BROKE GROUND DUE TO VARIABLE CROSS WIND CONDITIONS. DURING THE ABORT, THE PILOT APPLIED EXESSIVE BRAKES AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE SOD STRIP WAS 800 FEET LONG.

## Factual narrative

On September 18, 1994, at 1330 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89511, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private sod strip near Nenana, Alaska.  The airplane, owned and operated by the private pilot, was departing on a personal cross country flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

According to the pilot, he was on a round robin flight out of Fairbanks, Alaska, when he landed at the 800 foot by 40 foot sod strip.  He said that during the takeoff, he encountered variable cross wind conditions and decided to abort the takeoff right after the airplane broke ground.  He stated that he pulled the power and mixture off, set the airplane down, and applied braking.  He further said that he applied excessive brakes and the airplane nosed over and slid to a stop on its back.  The pilot reported the winds as being variable from a cross wind to a tail wind at 4 to 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89511](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89511), registered now, S/N 8547, 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: 8547
- Airframe hours: 5695
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hrubes, Patrick E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1994, 5 hours before
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: None, runway 36, 800 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 104 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19940918029809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940918029809A), Sep 18, 1994: Cessna 140, Nenana, AK, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff on liftoff due varible cross winds. Applied too much brake. Nosed over. Wind reported as light.

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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