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NTSB Report

May 21, 2014 · Cessna 140 G · N2256N

Vacaville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Vacaville, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 140 G (1947)
Tail Number
N2256N
Operator
Mcdonald Kevin
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR14CA197

The pilot was taking off for a personal local flight and about 150 feet in the air, the engine lost partial power. The pilot decided to land the airplane on the remaining runway. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, the pilot said he applied the brakes too hard, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot said he had replaced two engine cylinders, and during the previous days he had run the engine on the ground in accordance with the cylinder break-in procedure. The accident flight was the first flight after the engine repair. Prior to the flight, he had done an extended ground run without the use of carburetor heat. He said during the initial climb the engine lost power, acting like it might have had water in the fuel, but during the preflight inspection, he had sumped the tanks, and found no water. According to a carburetor icing chart, the weather conditions at the time of the accident bordered between serious icing at glide power and serious icing at cruise power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's use of excessive brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb, likely due to carburetor ice.

Full Narrative

The pilot was taking off for a personal local flight and about 150 feet in the air, the engine lost partial power. The pilot decided to land the airplane on the remaining runway. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, the pilot said he applied the brakes too hard, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot said he had replaced two engine cylinders, and during the previous days he had run the engine on the ground in accordance with the cylinder break-in procedure. The accident flight was the first flight after the engine repair. Prior to the flight, he had done an extended ground run without the use of carburetor heat. He said during the initial climb the engine lost power, acting like it might have had water in the fuel, but during the preflight inspection, he had sumped the tanks, and found no water. According to a carburetor icing chart, the weather conditions at the time of the accident bordered between serious icing at glide power and serious icing at cruise power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:14 PDT
Nearest AirportNut Tree Airport (0nm NNE)
Runway2
Runway Length4700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140 G
Tail NumberN2256N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMcdonald Kevin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C85 SERIES · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data