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July 22, 2021 · Cessna 140 · N84BC

Caddo Mills, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Caddo Mills, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 140 (1946)
Tail Number
N84BC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA450

The flight instructor reported that while on downwind in the traffic pattern, the airplane began to yaw to the right. He immediately took control of the airplane from the student pilot and applied full left aileron and rudder, which reduced the yaw, however, the airplane still would not fly straight. He performed an emergency landing to a field, but shortly after touching down, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident inspection found that the forward vertical stabilizer attach bolt (P/N AN4-5A), nut (P/N AN365-428) and shim (P/N 0430010) were missing. (See figure 1) As a result of the missing hardware, the vertical stabilizer became unseated and bent aft in flight, which caused the uncommanded yawing motion. The hardware was not recovered. Figure 1. Fin assembly. The pilot reported that he was unaware of any recent maintenance in the affected area.

NTSB Probable Cause

The missing vertical stabilizer hardware, which resulted in a severe uncommanded yawing motion that necessitated an emergency landing, during which the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that while on downwind in the traffic pattern, the airplane began to yaw to the right. He immediately took control of the airplane from the student pilot and applied full left aileron and rudder, which reduced the yaw, however, the airplane still would not fly straight. He performed an emergency landing to a field, but shortly after touching down, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident inspection found that the forward vertical stabilizer attach bolt (P/N AN4-5A), nut (P/N AN365-428) and shim (P/N 0430010) were missing. (See figure 1) As a result of the missing hardware, the vertical stabilizer became unseated and bent aft in flight, which caused the uncommanded yawing motion. The hardware was not recovered. Figure 1. Fin assembly. The pilot reported that he was unaware of any recent maintenance in the affected area.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN84BC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time09:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data