N72789 - 1946 Cessna 140 Aircraft Registration

C140

1946 CESSNA 140

Aircraft Description

N72789 is a 1946 Cessna 140, a single-engine reciprocating (piston) aircraft registered to Dornseif Keith in Merrillville, IN. The registration certificate was issued on October 30, 2013. The registration is set to expire on October 31, 2029. Powered by a Cont Motor C85 SERIES engine producing 85 horsepower, N72789 is. The aircraft's Mode S transponder code is A9C11F (hex), used for ADS-B identification and flight tracking. N72789 was last tracked by AviatorDB at coordinates 41.5725, -86.7345 on July 13, 2025. The FAA registry record for N72789 was last updated on September 9, 2023. AviatorDB monitors aircraft positions through ADS-B surveillance data and updates records as new position data is received.

The Cessna 140, a foundational aircraft that established Cessna's dominance in postwar general aviation, first flew on June 28, 1945. This high-wing, two-seat tailwheel monoplane powered by an 85-horsepower Continental C85-12 engine became the template for Cessna's single-engine designs for the next two decades. At peak production in 1946, the Wichita factory delivered 30 aircraft daily, ultimately producing 5,432 Model 140 and 140A variants through 1951. Built by Cessna Aircraft Company using wartime mass-production techniques, the 140 transformed affordable light aviation for civilian pilots. AviatorDB tracks 80,556 Cessna aircraft currently registered in the FAA database. The ICAO type designator for this aircraft model is C140.

AviatorDB has found no NTSB accident or incident reports involving N72789. AviatorDB cross-references all FAA registration data with NTSB accident and incident reports, providing a comprehensive safety overview for every registered aircraft in the United States.

Model Year
1946
Manufacturer
CESSNA
Model
140
Type Aircraft
Fixed Wing Single Engine
ICAO Type Code
C140140
Cruise Speed
105 mph
Weight Class
Up to 12,500 lbs
Airworthiness Date
Classification
Standard Category
Type Registration
Individual
Status
Valid Registration
Cert Issue Date
October 30, 2013

Registered Owner

Name
DORNSEIF KEITH
Address
6750 E 84TH DR
City
MERRILLVILLE
State / Zip Code
Indiana46410-7408
Country
United States

Powerplant & Avionics

Engine Type
Reciprocating
Number of Engines
1
Engine Manufacturer
CONT MOTOR
Engine Model
C85 SERIES
Horsepower
85 HP
Mode S Code (Oct)
52340437
Mode S Code (Hex)
A9C11F

Additional Details

Registration
N72789
Serial Number
9975
Number of Engines
1
Number of Seats
2
Expiration Date
October 31, 2029
Last Action Date
September 9, 2023
Last Update Date
January 19, 2026
Unique ID
00272388

Last Known Position

Date
April 3, 2026 (UTC 17:44:15)
Airport
Latitude
41.449036
Longitude
-86.983566

Data Source

Data provided by the US Federal Aviation Administration. View on FAA.gov

Last updated: 2026-04-01 01:32:20 UTC