Waterloo, IA, USA
N72701
Cessna 140
The airplane cart wheeled following a loss of control while landing on runway 30. The pilot reported he contacted Flight Service and heard transmissions from other aircraft so he knew the winds were strong and gusty out of the northwest. He also listened to automated terminal information service (ATIS) prior to landing. The pilot stated he was at 60 miles per hour and as the left wheel touched down, the right wing began to rise. He applied full power and removed the carburetor heat to go-around. The pilot stated the right wing continued to rise and he was unable to lower it or the nose in order to gain more airspeed. He stated the left wing contacted the runway followed by the propeller, main gear, and right wing tip. The pilot stated he believed the left wing was in a "stall mode." The local winds recorded one minute prior to the accident were from 330 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 27 knots.
On October 3, 2003, at 1446 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, N72701, operated by a commercial pilot cart wheeled following a loss of control while landing on runway 30 (8,400 feet by 150 feet) at the Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO), Waterloo, Iowa. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from the East Kansas City Airport (3GV), Grain Valley, Missouri, at 1200. The pilot reported he originally departed from Taylor, Texas. He made en route stops in Mc Alester, Oklahoma, Grain Valley, Missouri, and was stopping at ALO in Waterloo, Iowa, before continuing to his final destination of Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. The pilot reported he contacted Flight Service and heard transmissions from other aircraft so he knew the winds were strong and gusty out of the northwest. He also listened to the automated terminal information service (ATIS) prior to landing. The pilot stated the winds were from approximately 330 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The pilot reported that he was cleared to land and as he turned onto final approach "the tower called to a business jet that was back-taxiing to runway 30 (the same as I had landing clearance for and asked if they were [ready] for takeoff. The business jet responded that they were allowed to takeoff with me being on final." The pilot stated he was at 60 miles per hour and as the left wheel touched down, the right wing began to rise. He applied full power and removed the carburetor heat to go-around. The pilot stated the right wing continued to rise and he was unable to lower it or the nose in order to gain more airspeed. He stated the left wing contacted the runway followed by the propeller, main gear, and right wing tip. During a telephone interview the pilot stated he believed the left wing was in a "stall mode." A review of the air traffic control tower communications tape revealed N72701 was cleared to land on runway 30. About 33 seconds later, Mesaba 2724, a Saab 340, contacted the tower stating they were ready to taxi. Mesaba 2724 was subsequently cleared to taxi on runway 30. About 1 minute 43 seconds later, Mesaba 2724 reported being ready for takeoff. Mesaba 2724 was issued a departure heading and was cleared for takeoff. One minute and 2 seconds later, Mesaba 2724 was instructed to contact departure control. Approximately 20 seconds later the tower controller broadcast a wind check stating the winds were from 310 degrees at 21 knots. One minute and 24 seconds later, the controller stated there had been an accident on the airport. Approximately 2 minutes and 46 seconds transpired from the time Mesaba 2724 was cleared for takeoff until the controller reported the accident. The winds recorded by the ALO automated service observing system (ASOS) at 1445 were from 330 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 27 knots.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the strong, gusty wind condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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