Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

April 26, 2013 · Cessna 140A · N5314C

Newburgh, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Newburgh, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 140A
Tail Number
N5314C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA13LA224

During the landing, the pilot/owner adjusted for the left crosswind until the airplane touched down on the runway. He applied the left brake and rudder to maintain directional control during roll, but the left brake "seemed to lock up," and the airplane ground-looped left. The right tire separated from the right landing gear wheel and burst. A review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that, during the most recent owner-assisted annual inspection, the left-side brake caliper was found seized. It was removed, cleaned, lubricated, reinstalled by the owner, operationally checked, and found to be in airworthy condition. An unsupervised postaccident examination of the left wheel and brake assembly by the owner revealed that the wheel and tire would rotate with some resistance, that the caliper slides were rusty, and that the lubrication applied during the annual inspection did not completely allow the calipers to reliably move freely, which resulted in the brake binding on the final roll.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control when the brakes bound and a subsequent ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the brakes by the pilot/owner.

Full Narrative

On April 26, 2013, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140A, N5314C, experienced a loss of control during the landing roll at Stewart International Airport (SWF), Newburgh, New York. The certificated private pilot/owner and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the tower reported variable winds and he was cleared to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 27. On final approach, the wind sock indicated a direct left crosswind at 10 to 12 knots. The pilot adjusted for the crosswind utilizing the ailerons and rudder until the airplane touched down on the runway, then applied the left brake and rudder to maintain directional control during rollout. The left brake "seemed to lock," the empennage swung to the right, the right tire separated from the right landing gear wheel, and the airplane came to rest facing about 190 degrees from the original direction of travel. The pilot and two passengers exited the airplane without incident. Examination of photographs revealed the fuselage, wing, and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the airplane was rolled backwards during recovery from the accident site and the left brake "unbound itself." The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued October 4, 2011. He reported 245 total hours of flight experience, of which 35 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. A review of the airplane maintenance records, receipts, and emails revealed that the most recent owner/assisted annual inspection was completed on January 8, 2013, at 3243.4 total aircraft hours. During that inspection, the right side brake caliper o-ring was leaking but the pilot/owner chose to defer that maintenance. The left side brake caliper was found seized. It was removed, cleaned, lubricated, reinstalled, operationally checked, and found to be in airworthy condition. In an email, the owner detailed work he had performed during the annual to include reattachment of the brake calipers. After the accident, the pilot/owner disassembled and examined the left brake assembly prior to examination by either the FAA or the NTSB, and provided an email statement with his findings. His examination of the left brake caliper revealed rust on the caliper slides. In addition, he noted that while the wheel rotated, there was friction between the brake calipers and the disk. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook: Crosswind After-Landing Roll Particularly during the after-landing roll, special attention must be given to maintaining directional control by the use of rudder and tailwheel steering, while keeping the upwind wing from rising by the use of aileron. Characteristically, an airplane has a greater profile, or side area, behind the main landing gear than forward of it. With the main wheels acting as a pivot point and the greater surface area exposed to the crosswind behind that pivot point, the airplane will tend to turn or weathervane into the wind. This weathervaning tendency is more prevalent in the tailwheel-type because the airplane's surface area behind the main landing gear is greater than in nosewheel-type airplanes. Ground Loop A ground loop is an uncontrolled turn during ground operation that may occur while taxiing or taking off, but especially during the after-landing roll. The pilot must exercise caution when applying corrective brake action because it is very easy to overcontrol and aggravate the situation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EDT
Nearest AirportStewart International Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length11817 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140A
Tail NumberN5314C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C90 SERIES · Reciprocating · 95
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 28 C
Altimeter30.35 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data