# NTSB WPR23LA206: Cessna 140A, N1126D, Santa Teresa, NM, May 29, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 29, 2023, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Teresa, NM - Coordinates: 31.880444, -106.70325 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8804&lon=-106.7032&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 192279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA206 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 140A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2071604), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported winds at the airport were 6 gusting to 13 knots, 30 degrees from runway heading during the approach to landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane began to bounce, and she felt a strong crosswind pushing her to the right. She elected to initiate a go-around, however, the right wing lifted, and the left wing impacted the ground. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane ground looped. The left wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated the airport experiences dust devils frequently and often they are not visible. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28) and the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual found no detailed information listed about dust devils or the potential hazards of flying through dust devils. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1126D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1126D), registered now, S/N 15675, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140A - Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15675 - Year built: 1951 - Airframe hours: 4125 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90-14F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 2022 - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: DNA, Santa Teresa, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DNA, Dona Ana County International Jetport Airport, runway 28, 9,550 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,291 total, 175 in this make and model, 2,543 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KDNA - METAR: KDNA 291815Z AUTO VRB05G13KT 10SM CLR 31/M08 A3004 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230529014219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230529014219A), May 29, 2023: Cessna 140A, Santa Teresa, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot departed el paso (elp) for Donna anna (dna). Wind was reported as 310 degrees at 10-16 KTS, landing on runway 28. Upon touchdown, the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192279. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15661118&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16250647&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20telephone%20interview-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 489 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15661326&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.