Casualties unknown

2003-05-09: Cessna 140 (N72942) — Suffolk, VA

Suffolk, VA, US

On May 9, 2003, a Cessna 140 (registration N72942) was involved in an aviation accident near Suffolk, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of his altitude from the wheat field during the execution of a go-around. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a simulated forced landing over a wheat field, a pilot misjudged altitude during a go-around, causing wheel contact with wheat tops, deceleration, and inversion.

Event Details

The pilot of an airplane was en route to his home airport when he decided to practice a simulated forced landing over a wheat field. According to the pilot, he reduced engine power and applied carburetor heat as part of the procedure. He descended the airplane to an altitude where the wheels were just above the wheat field's surface, then attempted a go-around by adding power.

During the go-around, the pilot reported that he misjudged his altitude, resulting in the wheels contacting the top of the wheat. The airplane subsequently decelerated, sank into the wheat, and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that there were no issues with the engine when he added power for the go-around.

Pilot Report

The pilot explicitly noted that the engine functioned normally throughout the maneuver. The accident occurred without any mention of injuries or damage beyond the inverted position of the aircraft. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, location, or number of occupants were provided in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030515X00668. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.