# NTSB MKC87LA101: Cessna 140, N2559N, Eldon, MO, April 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1987, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Eldon, MO
- Coordinates: 38.350563, -92.570838 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3506&lon=-92.5708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - brittle fracture

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WINDS WERE LIGHT PRIOR TO THE FINAL APPROACH, BUT A GUST OF WIND PICKED UP THE RIGHT WING AND THE AIRCRAFT BALLOONED DURING THE FLARE, RUNNING OUT OF AIRSPEED WHILE IN A FULL-STALL/THREE-POINT ATTITUDE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH MAIN GEARS BROKE IN RAPID SUCCESSION, GENERALLY ABOUT THE MID-STRUT STEP MOUNT AREA OF THE LEAF SPRING GEAR ASSEMBLY. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED TO A STOP DAMAGING THE PROPELLER AND THE RIGHT WING TIP. A DETAILED VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S LANDING GEAR REVEALED THE DAMAGE TO BE A BRITTLE FRACTURE, JUST BELOW THE STEP MOUNTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2559N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2559N-1994-10-17), registration cancelled 1994-10-17, S/N 12815 (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: 12815
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Waddell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: 3WE, ST.LOUIS, MO
- Destination: H79, ELDON, MO
- Airport: H79, Eldon Model Airpark, runway 18, 3,175 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 12 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JEF, 25 nm away

## Other investigations on N2559N (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 FTW91LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA152), Aug 23, 1991: Cessna 140 (N2559N), Ward, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

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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