N2143N

Substantial
None

CESSNA 140S/N: 12379

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, April 10, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA14CA195
Location
Colebrook, NH
Event ID
20140414X94902
Coordinates
44.885833, -71.504447
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to power out of soft snow with a gusty quartering tailwind which resulted in the tail of the airplane rising and the airplane nosing over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
12379
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
140C140
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
140

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SUTER JOHN R
Address
379 CREEDMOOR RD
City
JACKSONVILLE
State / Zip Code
NC 28546-6035
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the private pilot, after landing, a 180 degree turn was required to back taxi on the runway. During the turn, the main landing gear encountered soft snow at the edge of the runway, and began to sink further into the snow. The pilot increased engine power to return the airplane to the center of the runway; however, the tail of the airplane began to rise and the strong quartering tailwind continued to nose the airplane over which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing strut and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported the wind, at the time of the accident, was approximately 220 degrees at 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. He further reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA14CA195