# NTSB MKC89LA050: Cessna 140, N89867, Audubon, IA, January 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1989, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Audubon, IA
- Coordinates: 41.709075, -94.919334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7091&lon=-94.9193&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 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA050

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON SOLO CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE TAILWHEEL ACFT ON RUNWAY 14 WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND IN EXCESS OF 20 KNOTS. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, HE FELT HE WAS LOSING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND ELECTED TO GO-AROUND. SHORTLY AFTER THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND DRIFTED TO THE LEFT STRIKING A TREE, THEN THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89867](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89867-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 8912, 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: 8912
- Airframe hours: 2815
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Never Home Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988, 23 hours before
- Departed: Y76, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: ADU, AUDUBON, IA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ADU, Audubon, runway 14, 3,000 × 60 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 75 nm away

## 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 19890109000779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890109000779A), Jan 9, 1989: Cessna 140, Audubon, IA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in excessive crosswind began go around and drifted off runway alignment. Then struck a tree.

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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