Probable cause
The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his excessive braking which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he was landing on a remote unimproved gravel airstrip that was a “little soft.” After touchdown and during the landing rollout the airplane slowed rapidly, the tail began to rise and the airplane nosed-over sustaining substantial damage to fuselage, left lift strut, vertical stabilizer and rudder.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident may have been prevented if he had selected a more suitable landing site or applied less brakes after touchdown.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC21LA034 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 25, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Palmer, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 140
- N-number
- N1685V
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1947
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.