14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, November 02, 2012 in Watsonville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/27/2013
Aircraft: CESSNA 140, registration: N77227
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that after a normal approach, he landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane on the main wheels (wheel landing). As the airplane decelerated during the landing roll, the pilot directed his attention inside of the cockpit and eased back pressure off of the control yoke. When the pilot redirected his attention outside, the airplane nosed down, and the propeller struck the ground; the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the wings and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll.
The pilot reported that after a normal approach he landed the tail-wheel equipped airplane on the main wheels (wheel landing). As the airplane decelerated during the landing roll, the pilot directed his attention inside of the cockpit and eased back pressure off of the control yoke. When the pilot redirected his attention outside, the airplane nosed down and the propeller struck the ground; the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the wings and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 77227 Make/Model: C140 Description:
Date: 11/02/2012 Time: 2330
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: WATSONVILLE State: CA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ON THE RUNWAY UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES,
WATSONVILLE, CA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: SAN JOSE, CA (WP15) Entry date: 11/05/2012
http://registry.faa.gov/N77227
Firefighters respond to a flipped plane at Watsonville Municipal Airport
(DONNA JONES/Santa Cruz Sentinel)
WATSONVILLE — A pilot walked away with minor injuries after flipping his single-engine Cessna 140 upside down on the main runway at Watsonville Municipal Airport about 5 p.m. Friday.
The pilot, who declined to comment, appeared to be in his 60s. He had a gash on the left side of his head, but appeared otherwise unharmed.
Watsonville Fire Capt. John Martorella said the pilot was alone in the plane, and was able to extricate himself from the wreckage.
Witnesses, who declined to give their names, said the pilot was landing, but airport manager Rayvon Williams was unable to confirm.
The runway was cleared about 6 p.m. with the help of crews from nearby businesses.
