# NTSB LAX01LA260: Cessna 140, N2903N, San Luis Obispo, CA, July 25, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2001, 14:47 local (21:47 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.236946, -120.642219
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2369&lon=-120.6422&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flt Standards Dist Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA260

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in dragging the wing and nosing over.

## 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
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot made an uneventful three-point touchdown.  Thereafter, the airplane veered left, and the pilot applied rudder pressure and engine power to correct for the yawing moment.  The pilot reported that the swerve happened so fast he was unable to take effective corrective action.  Airplane control was lost and it nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 2001, about 1447 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2903N, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped and nosed over during landing rollout on runway 29 at McChesney Field, San Luis Obispo, California.  The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from the airport about 1400.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he made an uneventful three-point touchdown.  Thereafter, the airplane veered left, and he applied rudder pressure and engine power to correct for the yawing moment.  The pilot reported "it happened so fast I was unable to make effective correction with rudder pedals."  Thereafter, the right wing contacted the runway and the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2903N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2903N), registered now, S/N 13164 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13164
- Airframe hours: 2401
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles W. O'Donnell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2001, 18 hours before
- Departed: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Destination: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Airport: SBP, McChesney Field, runway 29, 4,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 25, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 582 total, 398 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: SBP

## 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 20010725018819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010725018819A), Jul 25, 2001: Cessna 140, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 25, 2001, about 1447 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2903N, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped and nosed over during…

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.

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