Cessna 140 accident near Lebanon, Indiana, August 25, 2016
On August 25, 2016 at about 7:10 pm local time, a 1947 Cessna 140, registered N2614N, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Lebanon, Indiana (Boone County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
PC The unseen standing water on the runway that abruptly slowed the tailwheel equipped airplane during landing resulting in a nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 25, 2016 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Lebanon, Indiana · Boone County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 G, built 1947 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N2614N · no longer on the register · serial 12874
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the landing approach to the grass runway he had ample time to observe the runway surface and the turf appeared smooth and even. He continued the approach and executed a soft field landing. While on the landing roll, he noticed a puddle of water ahead. He commanded full up elevator and attempted to "jump" the puddle, but the airplane had already slowed below flight speed. The main landing gear of the tailwheel equipped airplane struck the standing water that was about 3 inches deep, and hidden by the grass. The airplane slowed abruptly and the airplane subsequently nosed-over resulting in substantial damage to the vertical tail, and right wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Wet surface › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,584 hours in all; 1,278 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,499 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 21, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 30, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C85 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FKR Frankfort IN at 6:50 pm
- Destination: 6I4 Lebanon IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,600 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Observation at 6:50 pm from FKR, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on October 6, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.