# NTSB GAA16CA023: Cessna 140, N76001, Fort Benton, MT, October 20, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 20, 2015, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Fort Benton, MT
- Coordinates: 47.846111, -110.634162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8461&lon=-110.6342&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92210/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92210
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA023

## Probable cause

A hard landing which resulted in a loss of directional control, main landing gear collapse, and damage to the left wing spar.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 562 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed with a 5 to 8 knot tailwind and landed hard. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and side loaded the landing gear which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed with a 5 to 8 knot tailwind and landed hard. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and side loaded the landing gear which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76001](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76001-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 10395, 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: 10395
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 1556
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 2008
- Departed: 79S, FORT BENTON, MT
- Destination: 79S, FORT BENTON, MT
- Airport: 79S, Fort Benton, runway 23, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 1,538 total, 1,538 in this make and model, 1,538 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KGFA, 30 nm away

## Other investigations on N76001 (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 SEA74DTI27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DTI27), Jun 9, 1974: Cessna 140 (N76001), Townsend, MT, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92210. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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