# NTSB GAA17CA118: Cessna 140, N5623C, Markleeville, CA, January 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 17, 2017, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Markleeville, CA - Coordinates: 38.716945, -119.745002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7169&lon=-119.7450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94629/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94629 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a low pass and the subsequent impact with a snow berm, which resulted in a nosed-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,311 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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 140A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 9,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,131 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 794 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during a low pass to evaluate the snow-covered runway, the airplane descended to 4 ft above ground level. The airplane encountered a crosswind from the left, and the pilot accomplished a "slip to remain over the runway." However, the airplane descended, and the left main landing gear struck a snow berm and the airplane struck the runway and nosed over. Substantial damage was sustained to both wings, the rudder, and the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot asserted that he should have practiced what he teaches his students and stayed 300 ft above airports when performing a fly-over. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during a low pass to evaluate the snow-covered runway, the airplane descended to 4 ft above ground level. The airplane encountered a crosswind from the left, and the pilot accomplished a "slip to remain over the runway". However, the airplane descended and the left main landing gear struck a snow berm and the airplane struck the runway and nosed over. Substantial damage was sustained to both wings, the rudder, and the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot asserted that he should have practiced what he teaches his students, and stayed 300 ft. above airports when performing a fly over. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5623C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5623C-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 15556, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15556 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 1076 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2016 - Departed: MEV, MINDEN, NV - Destination: CXP, CARSON CITY, NV - Airport: M45, Alpine County, runway 35, 5,857 × 30 ft, snow - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,088 total, 38 in this make and model, 4,088 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: TVL, 16 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 20170117000399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170117000399A), Jan 17, 2017: Cessna 140A, Markleeville, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot departed kcxp at 1300 and after fueling at kmev, departed and was performing air work south west of the airport. The pilot uses KM45 for high… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94629. 646 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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. --- 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.