No fatalities

15 Oct 2018: Cessna 140 — Denver, CO

Denver, CO, United States

On 15 Oct 2018, a Cessna 140 Undesignat was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inadvertent brake application, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a subsequent nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a demonstration flight, a tailwheel airplane nosed over during the fourth touch and go landing after drifting right. The pilot believed inadvertent brake application occurred, but no mechanical failures were found.

Incident Details

The accident involved a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a demonstration flight with a second pilot. During the preflight, both pilots discussed the airplane's nose-over tendencies and emphasized the need to avoid using the brakes. The second pilot was flying during the fourth touch and go landing, performing a wheel landing. As the airplane rolled out, it drifted to the right. The pilot then applied rudder input to help correct the drift. Suddenly, the airplane nosed over.

Pilot Statements

The pilot reported that he believed he was responsible for the accident and suggested that one of them must have inadvertently applied the brakes. He also thought he may have misjudged the second pilot's experience with tailwheel aircraft.

Second Pilot Statement

The second pilot reported that he held a tailwheel endorsement and met the recency of experience requirements at the time of the accident. He stated that during the landing roll, the airplane was tracking the centerline when, suddenly and unexpectedly, it nosed over.

Damage and Mechanical Condition

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operationDirectional control — Not attained/maintained