Accident Details
On August 25, 2011, at 1245 central daylight time, a Cessna model 140 airplane, registered N72688, sustained substantial damage while landing at Monmouth Municipal Airport (C66), Monmouth, Illinois. The airplane was operated by a private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 on a local flight that had departed at 1200. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the accident occurred during the landing roll on runway 2. The tail of the tailwheel-equipped airplane inadvertently became airborne, and the pilot was unable to regain control before the airplane nosed over. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest upside down on the runway centerline, facing the opposite runway heading. The fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were substantially damaged.
Pilot's Report
The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that he likely landed with a tailwind and added that the accident could have been prevented had he determined the wind direction and speed from the airport's windsock before landing.
Weather Information
The nearest aviation weather observation station with recorded historical weather data was Galesburg Municipal Airport (KGBG), approximately 10.5 miles east of the accident site, which was equipped with an automated surface observing system (ASOS). At 1235, the KGBG ASOS reported wind from 330 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 11 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. A review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind had been from the north-northwest at 4 to 7 knots during the previous four hours.