Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control while landing a tailwheel airplane.
NTSB analysis
The pilot planned to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 21. He reported that there were some gusty winds, but a normal day. After touchdown, the tail of the airplane rose and continued until the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the top of the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing strut.
After the airplane was righted, the airplane was towed back to its hangar without issue. The pilot reported the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA194 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 26, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Appleton, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Appleton International (ATW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 140
- N-number
- N90023
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1946
- 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.