Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose over.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot stated that while landing, the airplane bounced hard upon touchdown. After the bounce, the airplane veered off the side of the runway into the grass. The pilot tried to gain altitude but was unable, so he "cut" the engine. The airplane hit a bump and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, forward fuselage, tail and engine mount. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA304 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 8, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rangeley, Maine
- Nearest airport
- Stephen A Bean Muni (8B0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 140
- N-number
- N89351
- 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.