Summary
On October 20, 2015, a Cessna 140 (N76001) was involved in an accident near Fort Benton, MT. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A hard landing which resulted in a loss of directional control, main landing gear collapse, and damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed with a 5 to 8 knot tailwind and landed hard. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and side loaded the landing gear which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA023. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N76001.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A hard landing which resulted in a loss of directional control, main landing gear collapse, and damage to the left wing spar.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed with a 5 to 8 knot tailwind and landed hard. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and side loaded the landing gear which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine 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# GAA16CA023