Introduction
A pilot flying a Cessna 140 was advised that wake turbulence would be present during his approach to a runway whose approach end was colocated with another runway. The pilot was approaching runway 35 while Lockheed C-130 aircraft were using runway 31.
Approach and Witness Observations
Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane approach runway 35 at a very low altitude. According to the witnesses, the airplane banked sharply to the left about 35 degrees and then very rapidly to the right over 90 degrees right bank. They said the airplane's right wingtip was about 20 feet above the ground when it was in the 90 degree bank. They stated that when the bank exceeded 90 degrees, the nose dropped rapidly and the aircraft impacted the ground.
Another witness reported observing a C-130 land on runway 31 about 10 seconds before the accident airplane was approaching runway 35's threshold.
Post-Accident Examination
On-scene examination revealed that the accident airplane's rudder throw was 23 degrees to the right and 15 degrees to the left.
Pilot Background
The pilot had been flying the Cessna 140 for about 11-1/2 years. The pilot had successfully completed his flight review on March 3, 1997, in a Cessna 210. At that time his logbook showed 251.0 hours in the accident airplane. There were no records showing any flight time after the flight review.