No fatalities

16 Dec 2019: Cessna 140 — Lancaster, CA

Lancaster, CA, United States

On 16 Dec 2019, a Cessna 140 Undesignat was involved in an aviation accident near Lancaster, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his use of excessive braking while taxiing. 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 taxi for departure, a student pilot applied brakes abruptly when the airplane veered right, causing a nose-over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. No mechanical issues were reported.

Accident Overview

A flight instructor and a student pilot were taxiing for departure when the airplane began to veer to the right of the taxiway centerline. In an attempt to correct the directional movement, the student pilot, who was on the controls, applied the brakes quickly. The flight instructor reported that he could not intervene quickly enough before the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the taxiway.

Pilot Actions

The student pilot was at the controls during taxi. When the airplane deviated to the right, the student pilot applied the brakes abruptly in an effort to regain directional control. The flight instructor stated that he was unable to act in time to prevent the nose-over.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer as a result of the accident.

Mechanical Status

The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedIncorrect use/operationSurface speed/braking — Not attained/maintained