# NTSB WPR17LA193: Cessna 140, N140X, Empire, NV, August 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 30, 2017, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Empire, NV - Coordinates: 40.462776, -119.366668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4628&lon=-119.3667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 95924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95924/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95924 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an off-airport precautionary landing on a dirt road with an uphill gradient. ## 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: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, about 20 to 25 minutes after departure for the cross-country flight, the engine's oil temperature gauge was indicating that the oil temperature was hotter than normal. He added that, to avoid having the engine seize while in flight, he chose to perform a precautionary landing on a dirt road that had an uphill gradient. After touchdown, the airplane bounced, the right main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane turned 180° and came to rest with the right wingtip on the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was successfully started and run for over 5 minutes at various power settings. The tailwheel could not be manually rotated counterclockwise to the stop because the right control cable was catching and rubbing on a displaced fairing behind the pedals. It could not be determined if this had occurred before the accident and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control or was a result of the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had purchased the airplane in October 2014. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-C1B engine, s/n L-8106-15, and, according to the manufacturer, is rated at 108 horse power. According to the aircraft maintenance records and the recording tachometer in the cockpit, the engine had accumulated a total time in service of 302.4 hours. The pilot reported that the most recent annual inspection was completed in June 2017 equating to 32 hours flight time prior to the accident. The maintenance records were not provided. The Federal Aviation Administration's airplane records revealed that the engine was installed in June 1981. The facility that last overhauled the engine was located by the sticker on the engine. The records they had on the engine showed that the last overhaul was performed June 2015 after which, the customer picked up the engine (they did not perform the installation). Fuel System Design The airplane's fuel system was a gravity-fed design where fuel flowed from the 12.5 gallon metal tanks in the inboard section of each wing. The right tank was plumbed into the upper cockpit where there was a fuel shutoff valve. From the shut-off the fuel would flow to the selector. The left fuel tank was plumbed directly to the selector and from there the fuel would continue through the firewall to the gascolator and then to the carburetor. The pilot reported that he had 20 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the accident. On August 30, 2017, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N140X, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing on a dirt road in Empire, Nevada. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Gerlach, Nevada, about 0930 and was destined for Bishop, California. The pilot stated that about 20-25 minutes after departure, he smelled a bad odor and noticed the engine's oil temperature gauge was indicating that it was hotter than normal. In an effort to avoid having the engine seize while in flight, the pilot opted to perform a precautionary landing. He selected an empty dirt road that had an uphill gradient. After touchdown, the airplane bounced and a wind gust lifted the airplane to the right of the road. As the pilot applied full power, the right main landing gear wheel contacted the edge of the road and sheared off. The airplane could not out-climb the rising terrain of the road and the remainder of the right main landing gear dug into the dirt. The airplane made a 180° turn and came to rest with the right-wing tip on the ground. During the accident sequence, the right-wing spar was substantially damaged. The engine remained mounted to the airframe. Anexternal visual examination of the engine revealed no evidence of catastrophic malfunctions or failures. The exhaust muffler was pushed into the firewall and it could not be determined if this was a result of the accident sequence. The throttle knob in the cockpit was manipulated to the full forward and aft position which resulted in the throttle arm moving from stop to stop on the carburetor. The upper spark plugs were removed and no mechanical damage was noted; the electrodes and posts exhibited a dark coloration, which according to the Champion Spark Plugs Check-A-Plug chart AV-27, is consistent with a normal to rich operation. The crankshaft was rotated by hand utilizing the propeller. The crankshaft was free and easy to rotate in both directions. "Thumb" compression was observed in proper order on all four cylinders. The propeller, damaged from the accident, was removed from the engine and a club propeller was installed on the engine. The gascolator bowl was removed from its attachment point; it contained blue liquid consistent with 100LL fuel. The gascolator screen was clear of debris. The airplane was secured to a forklift and weighted down. A fuel source was attached to the left wing inlet port and the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank. The engine was successfully started and run for over 5 minutes at various power settings from idle to about 2,000 rpm. A magneto check was conducted on the left and right magnetos with an approximate a minimal rpm drop per magneto. No mechanical anomalies were noted with engine that would have precluded normal operation. The tailwheel appeared to be a Scott 3200 tailwheel with the bent style steering arm that was converted to a larger tire size. The tailwheel could be manually rotated clockwise to the stop, but investigators were unable to rotate the tailwheel completely in the counterclockwise direction. The control cables remained attached to the rudder pedals. The right control cable was catching and rubbing on a displaced fairing behind the pedals. It could not be determined if this was a result of the accident sequence or had occurred prior. The complete examination notes with pictures are contained in the public docket for this accident ## Aircraft - Registration: [N140X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N140X), registered now, S/N 11387 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 (G) - 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: 11387 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2017, 32 hours before - Departed: 88NV, GERLACH, NV - Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 1,862 total, 32 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KRTS, 53 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 20170830011729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170830011729A), Aug 30, 2017: Cessna 140, Empire, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot departed burning man enroute to bishop, CA. Pilot stated that the oil temperature had reached maximum and he feared imminent engine failure and decided… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95924. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Tests and Research (item 3, .PDF, 8 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tests%20and%20Research-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.