Cessna 140 N2221V accident near Antigo, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that while practicing takeoffs and landings, the airplane touched down to the left of the runway centerline, and the tailwheel bounced a couple times. The pilot receiving instruction attempted to correct with opposite rudder; however, he overcorrected to the right. The flight instructor took over flight controls and attempted to correct with left brake and rudder; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway into deep snow, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.

The pilot and instructor both reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA121 for the full record.