# NTSB NYC85LA119: Cessna 140, N4034N, Latrobe, PA, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1985, 18:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Latrobe, PA
- Coordinates: 40.310688, -79.380203 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3107&lon=-79.3802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA119

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A LANDING, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. AT ABOUT THE TIME HE WAS REGAINING CONTROL, THE LEFT GEAR SPRING (STRUT), PN Q441138, FAILED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RWY & THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE STRUT REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED WHERE A BOLT HOLE HAD BEEN DRILLED TO INSTALL A STEP. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING CRACK THAT EXTENDED ABOUT 1 INCH ON EACH SIDE OF THE HOLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4034N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4034N-1988-09-22), registration cancelled 1988-09-22, S/N 13492 (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: 13492
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen Angelo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: LBE, Westmoreland Co., runway 23, 5,501 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 646 total, 135 in this make and model, 511 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBE

## 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 19850508015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850508015999A), May 8, 1985: Cessna 140, Latrobe, PA, Substantial damage. Lost control (.4)the plt reported that during a landing, the acft began to swerve to the right. At about the time he was regaining control, the left gear…

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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