Summary
On March 13, 2016, a Cessna 140 (N89939) was involved in an incident near Chandler, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, a ground loop, and a collision with an airport sign.
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he encountered a crosswind during a wheel landing. During the landing roll, the pilot further reported that the airplane "drifted abruptly to the left" and he added right rudder, but the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane ground looped to the left and collided with an airport sign, the right main landing gear separated, and the right wing impacted the ground.
A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA152. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N89939.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, a ground loop, and a collision with an airport sign.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he encountered a crosswind during a wheel landing. During the landing roll, the pilot further reported that the airplane "drifted abruptly to the left" and he added right rudder, but the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane ground looped to the left and collided with an airport sign, the right main landing gear separated, and the right wing impacted the ground.
A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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# GAA16CA152