# NTSB LAX90LA224: Cessna 140, N72122, Chico, CA, June 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1990, 17:34 local (Jun 21, 1990, 00:34 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740604, -121.830261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7406&lon=-121.8303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA224

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IMPROPERLY LEVELED OFF, FAILED TO CORRECT THE ENSUING PORPOISE, TOOK IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION, AND IMPROPERLY USED THE RUDDER AND NORMAL BRAKES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT INTENDED TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ON THE FIRST LANDING, THE STUDENT PILOT LEVELED OFF TOO HIGH, BOUNCED AND BEGAN TO PORPOISE. HE THEN IMPROPERLY USED THE NORMAL BRAKES AND RUDDER AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY SEVERING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR IN THE PROCESS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT HAD RECEIVED TRAINING ON RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72122](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72122), registered now, S/N 9289, 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: 9289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-14F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Monzingo, Esther S.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: CIC
- Airport: CIC, Chico, runway 13R, 6,724 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 66 total, 66 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CIC

## 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 19900620021569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900620021569A), Jun 20, 1990: Cessna 140, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Porpoised on landing. Ground looped off runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.