What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-03-29 involved a Cessna 140, registration N77166, at Big Lake, MN.

Wing and Tail Failures During Maneuver Precede Crash (N77166)

On March 29, 1997, a Cessna 140 (registration N77166) was involved in an aviation accident near Big Lake, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's maneuvers which exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane and resulted in structural overload of the horizontal tail followed by a structural overload of the wings. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Witnesses reported a loud bang, right wing failure, and fuselage distortion. Post-crash examination revealed horizontal tail failure from positive G loads and wing/strut failure from negative G loads.

Accident Overview

According to witness accounts, the airplane was maneuvering when a loud bang was heard. Observers noted that the right wing had failed, and the fuselage appeared distorted before the aircraft impacted the ground.

Witness Observations

Multiple witnesses reported that they heard a loud noise emanating from the airplane while it was maneuvering. They subsequently saw the right wing separate from the aircraft and the fuselage become distorted. The aircraft then continued downward and crashed.

Examination Findings

A post-crash examination of the wreckage determined that the horizontal tail had failed due to a positive G maneuver. Additionally, the wings and wing struts had failed due to a negative G maneuver. No other structural or mechanical issues were noted in the source.

Previous Activity

The source states that eight days prior to the accident, the pilot had flown a Waco airplane in Hawaii performing aerobatic maneuvers. No further details about that flight or its relation to the accident are provided in the source.

1997-03-29: Cessna 140 (N77166) — Big Lake, MN