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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 11, 2006 · Cessna 140 · N89166

Mesa, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N89166
Operator
John Trotter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA127

The airplane nosed over during landing. The pilot noted light precipitation in the area and calm winds as he entered the pattern for landing. On short final he noticed a glossy looking runway and encountered light rain drops on the windscreen. He did a wheel landing and as the airplane rolled out, it drifted right of centerline. As he input corrective action for the right drift, he continued to hold the tail wheel off of the ground in order to maintain the best forward visibility. During these corrective actions, the airplane pitched forward and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot said the airplane did not have any mechanical malfunctions or failures.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper use of the flight controls during landing, which resulted in a nose over.

Full Narrative

On March 10, 2006, at 2330 mountain standard time, a Cessna 140, N89166, nosed over during the landing roll at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The pilot was operating the airplane, that was registered to a private company, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot departed from Phoenix International Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, and was landing at his destination when the accident occurred. In the pilot's written statement, he said that upon entering the traffic pattern for landing, he noted light precipitation in the area and calm winds. On short final he noticed a glossy looking runway and encountered light rain drops on the windscreen. He did a wheel landing and as the airplane rolled out, it drifted right of centerline. As he input corrective action for the right drift, he continued to hold the tail wheel off of the ground in order to maintain the best forward visibility. During these corrective actions, the airplane pitched forward and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane did not have any mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:30 MST
Nearest AirportFalcon Field (0nm)
Runway22L
Runway Length5102 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN89166
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn Trotter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · C85-12F · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 32 C
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data