# NTSB LAX01LA111: Cessna 140, N77J, San Jose, CA, March 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 2001, 09:33 local (17:33 UTC) - Place: San Jose, CA - Coordinates: 37.340065, -121.900993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3401&lon=-121.9010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FLT STNDS DIST OFFICE - NTSB case key (mKey): 51894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51894/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA111 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot reported that, following a normal approach, the airplane bounced slightly on touchdown. As it touched down a second time, the aircraft started to veer to the right and, although he applied left rudder, the plane continued to veer more sharply to the right and a groundloop ensued. The left main landing gear strut collapsed and the aircraft came to rest on the right-hand edge of the runway about 800 feet from the threashold. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions and that weather was not a factor. The wind was calm. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 2001, at 0933 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 140, N77J, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop at San Jose International Airport, San Jose, California. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local area instructional flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Ames Flying Club. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed San Jose about 0900. The pilot reported that, on his sixth landing on runway 29 (4,599 feet long by 100 feet wide), following a normal approach, the airplane bounced slightly on touchdown. As it touched down a second time, the aircraft started to veer to the right and, although he applied left rudder, the plane continued to veer more sharply to the right and a groundloop to the right ensued. The left main landing gear strut collapsed and the aircraft came to rest on the right-hand edge of the runway about 800 feet from the threashold. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions and that weather was not a factor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77J), registered now, S/N 11489 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85-12](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12) (registry code 17124, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11489 - Airframe hours: 4719 - Engines: Continental C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ames Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2001, 32 hours before - Departed: SJC, San Jose, CA - Airport: SJC, San Jose International, runway 29, 4,599 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 26, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 44 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: SJC ## 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 20010308002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010308002969A), Mar 8, 2001: Cessna 140, San Jose, CA, No damage. (-23)A student pilot was engaged in solo touch and go landing practice on the 5th or 6th landing, the student bounced the aircraft and when he brought it back… ## Other investigations on N77J (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 WPR23LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA193), May 20, 2023: Cessna 140 (N77J), American Falls, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent selection of the off position of the fuel tank selector inflight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. 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.