# NTSB LAX86LA115: Cessna 140, N89447, Rancho Murieta, CA, February 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1986, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Rancho Murieta, CA
- Coordinates: 38.47023, -121.440673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4702&lon=-121.4407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA115

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON FEBRUARY 8, 1986 AT 1530 PST A CESSNA 140 LANDED HARD AND NOSED OVER ON THE RUNWAY. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT ON LANDING HE FLARED TOO HIGH AND LANDED HARD. HIS FEET SLIPPED ON THE PEDALS AND INADVERTENTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANCIAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89447](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89447), registered now, S/N 8479, built 1946 (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: 8479
- Airframe hours: 4951
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald E. Goates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1985, 3 hours before
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: RIU, RANCHO MURIETA, CA
- Airport: RIU, Rancho Murieta, runway 4, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 22 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860208005109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860208005109A), Feb 8, 1986: Cessna 140, Rancho Murieta, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced during landing after flaring too high. Inadvertently applied brakes and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N89447 (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 WPR25FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA257), Aug 17, 2025: Cessna 140 (N89447), Shelter Cove, CA, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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