Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX01LA260

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N2903N

Cessna 140

Analysis

The pilot made an uneventful three-point touchdown. Thereafter, the airplane veered left, and the pilot applied rudder pressure and engine power to correct for the yawing moment. The pilot reported that the swerve happened so fast he was unable to take effective corrective action. Airplane control was lost and it nosed over.

Factual Information

On July 25, 2001, about 1447 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2903N, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped and nosed over during landing rollout on runway 29 at McChesney Field, San Luis Obispo, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the airport about 1400. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he made an uneventful three-point touchdown. Thereafter, the airplane veered left, and he applied rudder pressure and engine power to correct for the yawing moment. The pilot reported "it happened so fast I was unable to make effective correction with rudder pedals." Thereafter, the right wing contacted the runway and the airplane nosed over.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in dragging the wing and nosing over.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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