Aviation Accident Summary GAA19CA189

Corvallis, OR, USA

Aircraft #1

N5641C

Cessna 140

Analysis

According to both pilots in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the newly endorsed tailwheel pilot was on the flight controls during the landing. The pilot at the controls recalled that, when the airplane touched down, it bounced, so she added power, but the airplane bounced again before it settled on the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane veered right, and she overcorrected to the left. She then applied right rudder, but the airplane became "squirrelly." The other pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, grabbed the yoke and applied rudder to regain directional control. The airplane decelerated, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The other pilot reported that he did not apply the brakes. When asked, the pilot at the controls during the landing could not recall whether she applied the brakes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to both pilots in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the newly endorsed tailwheel pilot was on the flight controls during the landing. She recalled that when the airplane touched down, it bounced, so she added power, but the airplane bounced again, before it settled on the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, and she over-corrected to the left. She then applied right rudder, but the airplane became, "squirrelly." The second pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, grabbed the yoke and applied rudder to regain directional control. The airplane decelerated, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane nosed over. He asserted that, at no time did he apply the brakes. When asked, the first pilot could not recall whether she applied the brakes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a propeller strike and subsequent nose-over.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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