# NTSB LAX86LA168: Cessna 140, N89374, Palo Alto, CA, April 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1986, 15:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450176, -122.100456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4502&lon=-122.1005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA168

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, dual student (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not received, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not used, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WAS FOR THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO CHECK OUT A PRIVATE PILOT IN THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR CESSNA 140 AIRCRAFT. AFTER A SERIES OF UNEVENTFUL FULL STOP & TOUCH & GO LANDINGS, THE STUDENT WAS DIRECTED TO LAND. THE CFI & A GROUND BASED WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT LANDED NORMALLY. THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT DURING THE LAST PORTION OF THE ACFT'S ROLL OUT THE SURFACE WIND PROVIDED THE ACFT WITH A TAILWIND COMPONENT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT HER STUDENT 'CAME UP ON THE BRAKES' & SHE DIRECTED HIM NOT TO BRAKE. THE CFI FURTHER STATED THAT DESPITE HER EFFORT AT SAVING THE ACFT BY APPLYING BACK PRESSURE TO THE YOKE, SHE LOST CONTROL & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89374](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89374-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 8406, 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: 8406
- Airframe hours: 3616
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Palo Alto Flying Club
- Registered owner: Kent M. Kusaka
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 21, 1985, 8 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto Of Santa Clara, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 484 total, 11 in this make and model, 359 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19860405010669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860405010669A), Apr 5, 1986: Cessna 140, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over on landing roll. The left seat pilot applied brakes before the instructor could intervene.

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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