# NTSB WPR21LA214: Cessna 140, N89257, Fields, OR, May 29, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 29, 2021, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Fields, OR · Dry lake bed - Coordinates: 42.52, -118.46 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5200&lon=-118.4600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103186/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103186 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA214 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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 pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that after touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. He corrected with left rudder, and the airplane began to enter a ground loop to the left. The left main landing gear then dug into the clay-like soil and sheared off, and the left wing was substantially damaged when it struck the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89257](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89257), registered now, S/N 8281 (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: 8281 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2026 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-235 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2020, 32 hours before - Departed: KBNO, Burns, OR - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: NA - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 193.5 total, 41.4 in this make and model, 97.6 as pilot in command, 4.5 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days, 3.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KREO, 27 nm away - METAR: KREO 291752Z AUTO 06005KT 19/M02 A3010 RMK AO1 SLP173 T01891017 10189 20050 58009 ## 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 20210529004809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210529004809A), May 29, 2021: Cessna 140, Alvord Desert, OR, Substantial damage. On final and short final the pilot stated he had no yaw in the aircraft, then after touchdown (no runway) and roll-out on the Desert floor the aircraft started… ## Other investigations on N89257 (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 UNK64X2823](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2823), Jul 14, 1964: Cessna 140 (N89257), Lagrange, TX, destroyed ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103186. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12365366&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120-complete_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident damage photograph - source pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12541092&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.