# NTSB WPR24LA125: Cessna 195B, N2147C, Portales, NM, April 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 8, 2024, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Portales, NM - Coordinates: 34.146411, -103.41167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1464&lon=-103.4117&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: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 13, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194089 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194089/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194089 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off with a quartering tailwind and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper elevator control inputs during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2073112), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 195B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073112), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073112), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073112), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 195B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 195B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073112), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff there was a left crosswind and he applied controls to counter the crosswind; the takeoff roll was normal, and the airplane remained on the runway centerline until just before it became airborne. He said the airplane then veered to the right and exited the right side of the runway, where he moved the throttle to idle and applied maximum braking. Witnesses observed the airplane taxiing to takeoff and noted there would be a left quartering tailwind during takeoff. They videoed the takeoff, and the recording showed the airplane accelerating on the runway with the elevator near the full trailing-edge-up position, forcing the tail onto the runway during the takeoff roll. The video also captured the windsock by the runway, indicating the quartering tailwind. The video showed the airplane became airborne in a somewhat nose-high attitude and it climbed about 5 ft above the ground to the right of the runway when the pilot brought the throttle to idle. The airplane subsequently descended, resulting in a hard landing beside the runway. The landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The Airplane Flying Handbook, Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes, states “as the airplane accelerates, the pilot smoothly decreases the pitch attitude and adjusts aileron and rudder control pressures to maintain the appropriate crosswind correction. If the pitch attitude remains excessively steep or if it is too flat, crosswind control during the ground roll becomes more difficult.” It also states that although tailwheel airplanes can be lifted off in a three-point attitude, this technique results in an unusually high pitch attitude and an angle of attack excessively close to stall. The pilot’s decision to maintain the tailwheel on the runway throughout the takeoff roll likely made directional control more difficult with the quartering tailwind. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2024, about 1615 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 195B, N2147C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Portales, New Mexico. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he had landed at Portales Municipal Airport (PRZ), Portales, New Mexico, to refuel during a cross-country flight. After refueling, he proceeded to take off on runway 19 with controls applied to counter the left crosswind. He reported that the takeoff roll was normal, and the airplane remained on the runway centerline. He stated that just before the airplane becoming airborne, it veered to the right. When the airplane exited the right side of the runway he brought the throttle to idle and applied maximum braking. A pilot-rated witness observed the pilot refuel the airplane and believed the pilot topped off the fuel. He also stated there was “a lot” of baggage in the airplane, making the airplane heavy with the 3 occupants. He and another witness observed the airplane taxi to the departure runway and observed most of the takeoff and the accident. The pilot-rated witness stated the windsock indicated there was a quartering tailwind gusting to about 20 knots, and he and another witness commented to each other that the pilot should not takeoff from [rwy 19] because of the tailwind. The pilot-rated witness stated the elevator was “pinned full aft” in the full trailing edge up position during the takeoff The second witness captured most of the airplane’s takeoff roll and the accident on video. The video matches the witnesses’ recollection of events. The airplane can be seen accelerating, and the engine can be heard operating at a high power setting for about 9 seconds before the airplane goes out of sight behind large fuel tanks located between the witnesses and the runway. The elevator position can be seen in the trailing edge up position as the airplane goes out of sight behind the fuel tanks. The engine can be heard until the airplane reappears from behind the fuel tanks about 3 seconds later. When the airplane reappears, it is in a wings-level, nose-high attitude about 5 ft above the ground. The engine rpm can be heard rapidly decreasing as the airplane comes into view and descended. The left wing dropped momentarily before the airplane's wings leveled. The airplane then made a hard landing off the right side of the runway. The airplane bounced once and then nosed over into the ground before stopping upright. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. An FAA inspector noted the airplane’s ailerons did not move together during an on-scene examination of the airplane. After the airplane was lifted off the ground, wreckage recovery personnel verified flight control continuity and proper flight control movement before disassembling the airplane for transportto a repair facility. Personnel at the repair facility also examined the disassembled airplane and found no anomalies with the flight control system. According to the automated weather report, the wind was from 120° at 12 knots. The windsock, as seen in the witness video, corresponded to the witnessed left quartering tailwind. The Airplane Flying Handbook (Chapter 14: Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes Takeoff) states the following: LIFTOFF “When the appropriate pitch attitude is maintained throughout the takeoff roll, liftoff occurs when the AOA and airspeed combine to produce the necessary lift without any additional “rotation” input. The ideal takeoff attitude requires only minimum pitch adjustments shortly after the airplane lifts off to attain the desired climb speed. All modern tailwheel aircraft can be lifted off in the three-point attitude. That is, the AOA with all three wheels on the ground does not exceed the critical AOA, and the wings will not be stalled. While instructive, this technique results in an unusually high pitch attitude and an AOA excessively close to stall, both inadvisable circumstances when flying only inches from the ground.” CROSSWIND “It is important to establish and maintain proper crosswind corrections prior to liftoff; that is, application of aileron deflection into the wind to keep the upwind wing from rising and rudder deflection as needed to prevent weathervaning. Takeoffs made into strong crosswinds are the reason for maintaining a positive AOA (tail-low attitude) while accelerating on the runway. Because the wings are making lift during the takeoff roll, a strong upwind aileron deflection can bank the airplane into the wind and provide positive crosswind correction soon after the takeoff roll begins. The remainder of the takeoff roll is then made on the upwind main wheel while the pilot uses rudder to maintain the alignment of the longitudinal axis with the runway. As the airplane accelerates, the pilot smoothly decreases the pitch attitude and adjusts aileron and rudder control pressures to maintain the appropriate crosswind correction. If the pitch attitude remains excessively steep or if it is too flat, crosswind control during the ground roll becomes more difficult. As the aircraft leaves the runway, the wings can be leveled as appropriate drift correction (crab) is established.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2147C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2147C), registered now, S/N 16132, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 195B - Registry model: [Cessna 195B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195b) (registry code 2073112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16132 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 3688 - Engines: Jacobs R755B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 2024, 11.4 hours before - Destination: CEZ, Cortez, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PRZ, Portales Muni, runway 01/19, 5,700 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 16,674 total, 116.1 in this make and model, 12,362 as pilot in command, 11.4 in the last 90 days, 11.4 in the last 30 days, 3.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 21,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KCVS, 15 nm away - METAR: KCVS 082155Z COR AUTO 09012G20KT 10SM SCT160 BKN210 19/M07 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP076 T01911073 $ COR 2200 ## 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 20240408007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240408007729A), Apr 8, 2024: Cessna 195B, Portales, NM, Substantial damage. On April 8, 2024, at 17:15 CDT, a Cessna 195B attempting to takeoff impacted terrain shortly after becoming airborne and incurred substantial damage. The… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194089. 9.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18940902&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18708460&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Binder_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness video (item 3, MOV, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18690083&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=20240408_221558000_iOS-Rel.MOV - Flight control examinations (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18709035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Control%20Examinations%20Binder-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18708820&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR24LA125-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.