# NTSB SEA91LA068: Cessna 140, N2455N, Pullman, WA, March 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1991, 16:53 local (Mar 17, 1991, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Pullman, WA
- Coordinates: 46.720344, -117.180541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7203&lon=-117.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE SHORTLY BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wake turbulence - encountered (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - remedial action - inadequate
  - wake turbulence - misjudged, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 140 STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE ON SHORT FINAL.  THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT.  HE ATTEMPTED A RECOVERY, BUT THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING, COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR, RESULTING IN A GROUND-LOOP TO THE RIGHT.  A SWEARINGEN COMMUTER AIRCRAFT HAD LANDED ON THE RUNWAY A FEW MINUTES EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2455N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2455N), registered now, S/N 12708 (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: 12708
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles F. Roper
- Registered owner: Charles F. Roper
- Departed: 72S, ROSALIA, WA
- Airport: PUW, Pullman/Moscow Reg., runway 5, 6,731 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 235 total, 111 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910316005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910316005529A), Mar 16, 1991: Cessna 140, Pullman/Moscow, WA, Substantial damage. On short final rolled violently to right. Hard impact on right gear collapsed same. Wake turbulence of metroliner.

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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