# NTSB LAX86LA298: Cessna 140, N76553, Flagstaff, AZ, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.229701, -111.720207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2297&lon=-111.7202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA298

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 140 LOST CONTROL ON TAKEOFF GROUND RUN FROM RWY 21 AND COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE END OF THE RWY 21, IT VEERED SHARPLY BACK TO THE LEFT COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 060 DEG AT 7 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PAX INDICATED THAT A VARIABLE QUARTERING TAILWIND CONDITION EXISTED AND THAT THE PLT WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH TAKING OFF WITH A TAIL WIND. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ACFT VEERED RIGHT ON INITIAL TAKEOFF GROUND RUN AND THE PLT'S APPLICATION OF LEFT RUDDER WAS INEFFECTIVE. AS THE ACFT ACCELERATED THE LEFT RUDDER INPUT BECAME EFFECTIVE AND THE ACFT HEADED FOR THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE PASSENGER STATED, 'THE PIC RESPONDED WITH FULL RIGHT RUDDER NOW TO COUNTERACT THE LEFT VEERING TENDANCY.' THE ACFT THEN VEERED BACK TO THE LEFT COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76553-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 10989, 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: 10989
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robyn E. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG

## 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 19860720034729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034729A), Jul 20, 1986: Cessna 140, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. The right main landing gear collapsed when the aircraft veered on takeoff. Pilot attempted a downwind takeoff.

## Other investigations on N76553 (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 LAX91LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA122), Mar 6, 1991: Cessna 140 (N76553), Flagstaff, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THAT THE PILOT IMPROPERLY USED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND BRAKES. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS AN EXISTING CROSS/TAILWIND.

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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