N3650V

Substantial
Serious

CESSNA 140S/N: 14921

Accident Details

Date
Monday, September 6, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA469
Location
Levant, ME
Event ID
20100907X44720
Coordinates
44.869445, -68.975830
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N3650V
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
14921
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1948
Model / ICAO
140C140
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
GILLIS IAN J M
Address
195 LAKEVIEW RD
Status
Deregistered
City
GLENBURN
State / Zip Code
ME 04401-1419
Country
United States

Analysis

According to a witness, the accident airplane touched down over halfway down the up-sloped, 2,300-foot grass runway 27. It then transitioned to a takeoff, but during the climb, the airplane "wavered left and right" before the left wing struck the ground. The fuselage, left wing, firewall, and elevator incurred substantial damage. The pilot stated that he could not recall the events that transpired during the accident sequence, and did not report that there were any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. A review of the accident airplane's information manual revealed, under the conditions that existed at the time of the accident, that the landing and takeoff distance required was approximately 900 feet, and was based on the use of a "hard surface, level runway." The winds reported at an airport 11 miles to the southeast of the accident location were from 290 degrees at 10 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA469