Cessna 140, N2011N: Accident occurred March 12, 2018 at Madison Municipal Airport (KMDS), Lake County, South Dakota

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket  - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N2011N

Location: Madison, SD
Accident Number: GAA18CA166
Date & Time: 03/12/2018, 1715 CDT
Registration: N2011N
Aircraft: CESSNA 140
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The flight instructor, acting as a safety pilot, in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, to expedite takeoff, he decided to takeoff from the grass runway instead of the concrete runway. He added that, about midway into the soft-field takeoff roll, he observed that the airplane was "struggling to build airspeed". He added that the runway had previously thawed and was "wet spongy sod". He reduced power and began to apply the brakes to abort the takeoff, but the airplane overran the runway, impacted a snow bank, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's delayed aborted takeoff on a soft, wet, grass runway, which resulted in a runway overrun. 

Findings

Personnel issues
Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Soft surface - Effect on operation
Wet surface - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Takeoff-rejected takeoff
Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Nose over/nose down

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor
Age: 30, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/29/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/22/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10 hours (Total, this make and model), 418 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Private
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N2011N
Model/Series: 140 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 12247
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/14/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1324 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C-85-12F
Registered Owner: RIGGIN, MORRIS A.
Rated Power: 85 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMDS, 1716 ft msl
Observation Time: 2155 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 8°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 0°C / 0°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots, 310°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Madison, SD (MDS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Madison, SD (MDS)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1715 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: MADISON MUNI (MDS)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1718 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Rough; Snow; Soft
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2380 ft / 200 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.012778, -97.086667 (est)