# NTSB GAA19CA026: Cessna 140, N76154, Denver, CO, October 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2018, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.793609, -104.541389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7936&lon=-104.5414&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98498/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98498 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent brake application, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a subsequent 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) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 the preflight for a demonstration flight with another pilot, they discussed the nose-over tendencies of the airplane and the need to "stay off the brakes." He added that, during the fourth touch-and-go landing, the second pilot was flying and performed a wheel landing. During the landing roll, the airplane drifted right, and the pilot "came on the rudders to help." Suddenly, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that he believed he was responsible for the accident and that either he or the other pilot must have inadvertently applied the brakes. He also believed that he misjudged the second pilot's tailwheel experience. The second pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, he had a tailwheel endorsement and met the recency of experience requirements. He added that, during the landing roll, the airplane was tracking the centerline when "suddenly and unexpectedly" it nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and empennage. 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the preflight for a demonstration flight with a second pilot, they discussed the nose-over tendencies of the airplane and the necessity to "stay off the brakes." He added that, during the fourth touch and go landing, the second pilot was flying and performed a wheel landing. During the landing roll, the airplane drifted to the right and the pilot "came on the rudders to help." Suddenly, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that he believed he was responsible for the accident and that one of them must have inadvertently applied the brakes. He also believed he misjudged the second pilot's tailwheel experience. The second pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, he had a tailwheel endorsement and met the recency of experience requirements. He added that, during the landing roll, the airplane was tracking the centerline when "suddenly and unexpectedly", it nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76154](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76154), registered now, S/N 10551, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 (Undesignat) - 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: 10551 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1645.1 - Engines: Continental O-220-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2017 - Departed: FTG, Denver, CO - Destination: FTG, Denver, CO - Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; last flight review January 4, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 20,087 total, 300 in this make and model, 11,682 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 17,815 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KFTG, 1 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 20181015024709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181015024709A), Oct 15, 2018: Cessna 140, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. On 10/15/2018 at approximately 19:46 hrs. (MDT), N76514, SN10551, Cessna 140 conducting touch and go landings on rwy 26 at Front Range airport (kftg), denver,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98498. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 720 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.