# NTSB GAA18CA047: Cessna 140, N76238, Macon, GA, November 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 8, 2017, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Macon, GA - Coordinates: 32.821666, -83.561943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8217&lon=-83.5619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96335 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96335/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96335 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect pitch control during takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a wheel-landing touch-and-go in crosswind conditions, as power was applied for takeoff, the airplane "hopped to the right and then to the left." He added that he applied "normal downward pressure to lift the tail and maintain a level attitude," but as he did so, the airplane continued to pitch forward and nosed over on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and windscreen. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a wheel landing touch-and-go in crosswind conditions, as power was applied for takeoff, the airplane "hopped to the right and then to the left." He added that he applied "normal downward pressure to lift the tail and maintain a level attitude," but as he did so, the airplane continued to pitch forward and nosed over on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to vertical stabilizer and windscreen. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76238](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76238-2020-05-02), registration cancelled 2020-05-02, S/N 10641, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 (G) - 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: 10641 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4270 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clear Blue Sky Aviation LLC. - Registered owner: Clear Blue Sky Aviation LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2017 - Departed: MAC, Macon, GA - Destination: MAC, Macon, GA - Airport: MAC, Macon Downtown, runway 10, 4,694 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,200 total, 81 in this make and model, 5,182 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1.6 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KMCN, 9 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 20171108018389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171108018389A), Nov 8, 2017: Cessna 140, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. On 11/08/2017 the pilot of aircraft N76238 was demonstrating a wheel landing touch and go. The pilot applied power after flap retraction and the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96335. 742 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460414&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-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.