# NTSB NYC08CA120: Cessna 140, N3536V, Dayton, TN, March 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 2, 2008, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.48611, -84.931114
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4861&lon=-84.9311&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the Cessna 140 was practicing crosswind landings. He stated that during the landing attempt, he flared the airplane "too soon." The airplane bounced hard on the runway, and began to bank left. The pilot corrected with aileron and rudder, and the airplane tracked to the right. The left main landing gear made contact with the runway, and separated from the airframe. The propeller, fuselage belly, and left wingtip contacted the runway surface, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Cessna 140 was practicing crosswind landings. He stated that during the landing attempt, he flared the airplane "too soon." The airplane bounced hard on the runway, and began to bank left. The pilot corrected with aileron and rudder, and the airplane tracked to the right. The left main landing gear made contact with the runway, and separated from the airframe. The propeller, fuselage belly, and left wingtip contacted the runway surface, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3536V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3536V), registered now, S/N 14805, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14805
- Airframe hours: 2848
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008, 1.5 hours before
- Departed: 2A0, Dayton, TN
- Destination: Dayton, TN
- Airport: 2A0, Mark Anton Airport, runway 21, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 29 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 20080302833689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080302833689A), Mar 2, 2008: Cessna 140, Dayton, TN, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was practicing crosswind landing. Flared too high resulting in excessively hard landing.

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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