# NTSB GAA18CA472: Cessna 140, N1160D, Mount Holly, NJ, August 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2018, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Mount Holly, NJ - Coordinates: 39.942779, -74.845832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9428&lon=-74.8458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA472 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98007/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98007 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA472 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane ballooning upon landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control and excessive brake application. ## 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 140A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 9,295 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 140A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane ballooned and then touched down on the left side of the runway centerline and exited the left side of the runway. The pilot braked hard in the grass safety area to avoid colliding with an airplane on a nearby taxiway, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that the accident was a result of pilot error. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the airplane ballooned, then touched down on the left side of the runway centerline and exited the left side of the runway. The pilot braked hard in the grass safety area to avoid colliding with an airplane on a nearby taxiway. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that the accident was a result of pilot error and nothing else. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1160D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1160D-2019-09-27), registration cancelled 2019-09-27, S/N 15723, built 1951 (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: 15723 - Year built: 1951 - Airframe hours: 1161.3 - Engines: Continental C90-14-F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2018 - Departed: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Destination: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Airport: VAY, South Jersey Rgnl, runway 26, 3,881 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 483 total, 28 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KVAY ## 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 20180804009909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180804009909A), Aug 4, 2018: Cessna 140A, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. Airplane was landing with a slight, variable, right crosswind, bounced twice then settled down on main wheels. With tailwheel still off ground, it drifted off… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98007. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.