# NTSB WPR23LA240: Cessna 140, N2358V, Cedar Mountain, UT, June 25, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 25, 2023, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Cedar Mountain, UT - Coordinates: 39.188663, -110.60317 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1887&lon=-110.6032&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - 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): 192449 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192449/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192449 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA240 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to depart with a high density altitude, which degraded the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in an impact with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the departure roll, the airplane became airborne at mid field. Shortly after, he felt a “settling sensation” and the airplane did not climb any further. The pilot checked the engine controls to ensure full power was available. Beyond the end of the runway, the airplane struck trees and came to rest between them. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that the temperature at the time of departure was 21° C, and that the airport elevation was 7550 ft msl. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2358V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2358V), registered now, S/N 14594, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14594 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 2464 - Engines: Continental C-90-12-F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2023, 1 hours before - Departed: 41U, Ephraim, UT - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: None, Cedar Mountain air strip, runway 31, 2,000 × 30 ft, dirt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 2,268 total, 315 in this make and model, 2,088 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KPUC, 23 nm away - METAR: KPUC 251753Z AUTO 20004KT 10SM CLR 25/M08 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02501078 10250 20100 58005 ## 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 20230625010749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230625010749A), Jun 25, 2023: Cessna 140, Cedar Moutain, UT, Substantial damage. The pilot departed from the Cedar Mountain Airport, a back country airport located at 7500'MSL. During takeoff rotation and climbout from runway 31, the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192449. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15823702&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_WPR23LA240%20flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15824140&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA240%20Docket%20photos-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.