Cessna 140 accident near Grand Meadow, Minnesota, February 8, 2008
On February 8, 2008 at about 7:09 pm local time, a Cessna 140, registered N3537V, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Grand Meadow, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's continued visual flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2008 · about 7:09 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Meadow, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N3537V · no longer on the register · serial 14809
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot had purchased the vintage airplane earlier in the day and was en route to attend a family event later that afternoon. Track data for the accident flight indicated that the airplane was flying between 300 and 600 feet above ground level (agl) when it encountered a wind farm with several 400-foot-tall wind turbines. The data showed that the airplane made a 90-degree course change, which was followed by a figure-8 turn at varying altitudes between 800 and 1,500 feet agl. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low, left-wing-down attitude. The 300-foot-long debris path and fragmentation of the airplane were consistent with a high-speed impact. Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The intended route of flight was into an area of extensive instrument weather conditions consisting of low ceilings and reduced visibility. Weather stations near the accident site reported 400- to 600-foot agl overcast ceilings and visibilities of 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 miles in mist. During the accident flight, there were active flight advisories for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight and moderate icing conditions. The pilot had obtained three weather briefings before departing on the accident flight, all of which forecasted that IFR conditions would exist along the planned route. The airplane was not equipped for instrument flight.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- VFR encounter with IMC during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Below VFR minima › Decision related to condition
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Instrument flight capability › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weather planning › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: December 23, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,970.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 24, 2007; 2.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motor C90-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KRNH New Richmond WI at 6:11 pm
- Destination: KOOA Oskaloosa IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observation at 7:16 pm from KAUM, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.