# NTSB LAX87LA323: Cessna 140, N224MK, Gorman, CA, September 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1987, 14:07 local (21:07 UTC)
- Place: Gorman, CA
- Coordinates: 34.720478, -118.1492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7205&lon=-118.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA323

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 140 NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL AFTER A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO A PAVED ACCESS ROAD. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE AND OIL TEMP BEGAN TO DROP FOR UNKNOWN REASONS WHILE IN CRUISE FLT. THE PLT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE WIND DIRECTION AND DECIDED TO LAND TO THE SW ON THE ROAD. ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A RIGHT REAR QUARTERING 'CROSSWIND' DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE NNE AT 10 KTS GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE ACFT WEATHERVANED INTO THE WIND AND NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT SHOULDER OF THE ACCESS ROAD. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING BASED ON THE OIL COVERED BELLY OF THE ACFT. THE ENGINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EXAMINED AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN OIL LEAK AND THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE ENGINE COWLING WAS DRY. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WOBBLE TYPE QUICK DRAIN OF UNKNOWN VINTAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N224MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N224MK-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 13327, built 1947 (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: 13327
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kopp, Michael E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: PTB, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CL46, Quail Lake Skypark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 810 total, 300 in this make and model, 666 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Observed at: PMD

## 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 19870903049039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870903049039A), Sep 3, 1987: Cessna 140, Gorman, CA, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure and engine heated up. Nosed over landing on a road. Engine oil leaked from wobble type quick drain

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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