Probable cause
The pilot's failure to achieve a proper touchdown point, resulting in an overrun and a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The solo private pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a mountaintop airstrip at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. She reported that while landing, she inadvertently touched down beyond her intended touchdown point. Realizing she would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the airstrip, she said she applied heavy braking at the end of the landing roll, but the airplane continued off the end of the airstrip and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left wing lift strut, and empennage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09CA085 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 20, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 140
- N-number
- N72518
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.