Probable cause
The pilot's misjudged flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over.
NTSB analysis
After landing hard and bouncing, the pilot elected to apply full power and go around. The pilot said there was no response from the engine when he pushed the throttle full in, "...possibly because I advanced the throttle too quickly." The airplane drifted left, exited the runway, and impacted shallow snow on the shoulder of the runway pavement before nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The pilot did not report experiencing any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA058 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 17, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Preston, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Preston Airport (U10)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night, dark
Cessna 140
- N-number
- N4008N
- 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.