# NTSB LAX93LA211: Cessna 140, N76194, Ramona, CA, May 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1993, 22:05 local (May 6, 1993, 05:05 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.070335, -116.829544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0703&lon=-116.8295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA211

## Probable cause

A JAMMED CONTROL YOKE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - jammed (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF IN THE TAILWHEEL-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE PASSENGER TO HANDLE THE CONTROL YOKE WHILE THE PILOT CONTROLLED RUDDERS AND POWER. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE CONTROL YOKE JAMMED IN THE FULL REARWARD POSITION. BOTH OCCUPANTS APPLIED FORWARD CONTROL YOKE PRESSURE, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PILOT RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT THE CONTROL YOKE JAMMED AGAINST THE ALUMINUM PITOT STATIC LINE.

## Factual narrative

On May 5, 1993, at 2205 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N76194, crashed shortly after lift-off from runway 27 at Ramona Airport, Ramona, California, after its elevator jammed in the up position.  The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, owned and operated by David Bratton, San Diego, California, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor and the passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB form 6120.1/2, that the passenger controlled the yoke for takeoff while the pilot controlled the rudders and power.  The pilot stated that just after rotation the airplane had no elevator control but appeared to have aileron control.  The pilot stated that she closed the throttle to pitch the nose down and then added power to cushion the impact.  Upon impact, the right tire broke off, the right main gear collapsed and the front lower cowling and fuselage were bent.

Mr. Dan Johnson, airworthiness inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), San Diego Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane.  Inspector Johnson reported that the examination disclosed that the airplane's aluminum pitot static line jammed the control yoke.  This condition worsened as the pilot attempted to push the yoke forward.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76194](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76194-1994-04-21), registration cancelled 1994-04-21, S/N 10591 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10591
- Airframe hours: 2470
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85/12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David C. Bratton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 16, 1993, 46 hours before
- Departed: L39
- Destination: L39
- Airport: L39, Ramona, runway 27, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,287 total, 421 in this make and model, 2,187 as pilot in command, 195 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19930505013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930505013269A), May 5, 1993: Cessna 140, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. Found elevator control jammed in up position liftoff. Aborted. Crashed aluminon static line jammed the yoke.

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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