Cessna 140 N2044N

Summary

On 25 March 1998 at about 18:00 local time, a Cessna 140 registered N2044N was involved in an accident near Norman, Oklahoma, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 March 1998 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Norman, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Univ. of Ok. Westheimer (OUN)

Coordinates

35.2096, -97.4403

Aircraft

Cessna 140

Registration

N2044N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Duncan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA159

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a ditch. A contributing factor was the high crosswind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had landed earlier and the accident occurred as he was departing for the return flight to his home airport. He had observed 'terrific' winds while standing outside a hangar. When he contacted ground control, the pilot was instructed to taxi to Runway 17. He noticed that the windsock favored runway 21, so he requested and was approved to use runway 21. The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff, the wind 'blew the airplane' to the right and off the runway centerline. The airplane crossed over a drainage ditch, made a 180-degree turn, and struck the ditch. At the time of the accident, the reported winds were 190 degrees at 24 knots, with gusts to 30 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.