# NTSB WPR15CA073: Cessna 140, N2841N, Yuma, AZ, January 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 1, 2015, 16:07 local (23:07 UTC) - Place: Yuma, AZ - Coordinates: 32.439998, -114.279998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4400&lon=-114.2800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90556/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90556 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in the loss of directional control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he landed at a private airstrip earlier in the day and was departing with the intention of returning to his home airstrip. Prior to departure, he noted a left crosswind of about 15 mph. The initial phase of the takeoff was normal, and when becoming airborne, the wind lifted the left wing and the airplane drifted right over the adjacent field. The field was at a lower elevation, and with the loss of ground effect, the airplane sank resulting in the tail wheel colliding with the ground. Thereafter, the main landing gear impacted an irrigation pipe and the airplane flipped over inverted. During the accident sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot further stated that the accident could have been prevented if they had waited for the wind to have subsided and/or performed the takeoff with the wing flaps extended. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he landed at a private airstrip earlier in the day and was departing with the intention of returning to his home airstrip. Prior to departure, he noted a left crosswind of about 15 mph. The initial phase of the takeoff was normal, and when becoming airborne, the wind lifted the left wing and the airplane drifted right over the adjacent field. The field was at a lower elevation, and with the loss of ground effect, the airplane sank resulting in the tail wheel colliding with the ground. Thereafter, the main landing gear impacted an irrigation pipe and the airplane flipped over inverted. During the accident sequence the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot further stated that the accident could have been prevented if they had waited for the wind to have subsided and/or performed the takeoff with the wing flaps extended. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2841N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2841N-2018-03-02), registration cancelled 2018-03-02, S/N 13102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13102 - Airframe hours: 3315 - Engines: Continental O200 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rovey James A - Registered owner: Rovey James A - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2014 - Departed: YUMA, AZ - Destination: BUCKEYE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 94 total, 89 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg ## 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 20150101000239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150101000239A), Jan 1, 2015: Cessna 140, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. On January 1, 2015 [privacy data omitted] operated N2841N (Cessna 140 serial #13102) attempting to takeoff from a private dirt runway located south of Yuma,… ## Other investigations on N2841N (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 NYC88LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA009), Oct 18, 1987: Cessna 140 (N2841N), New Milford, CT, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 19, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90556. 7.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photos of Airplane (8) - Photos Courtesy of Yuma County Sheriff's Office (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Airplane%20(8)%20-%20Photos%20Courtesy%20of%20Yuma%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office-Master.PDF - Photos of Airplane and Irrigation Pipe (8) - Photos Courtesy of Yuma County Sheriff's Office (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Airplane%20and%20Irrigation%20Pipe%20(8)%20-%20Photos%20Courtesy%20of%20Yuma%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office-Master.PDF - Photos of Tail (3) - Photos Courtesy of Yuma County Sheriff's Office (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 867 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Tail%20(3)%20-%20Photos%20Courtesy%20of%20Yuma%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.