Cessna 140 accident near Depere, Wisconsin, May 31, 1991
On May 31, 1991 at about 3:20 pm local time, a Cessna 140, registered N4090N, was destroyed in an accident near Depere, Wisconsin (Martins Aerodrome airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT A MUSHED STALL DURING LIFTOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 1991 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Depere, Wisconsin · Martins Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N4090N · no longer on the register · serial 13548
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A PRIVATE PILOT MADE A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF FROM A 2000 FOOT SOD STRIP AND CLIMBED TO TREETOP HEIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WANTED TO ROLL OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HE HAD TO FIGHT WITH IT TO KEEP STRAIGHT AND LEVEL. THE PASSENGER DESCRIBED THE WING DROPPING OFF ON ONE SIDE, THEN THE OTHER. THE AIRPLANE MUSHED TO GROUND IMPACT 300 FEET BEYOND THE RUNWAY END. NO MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED OR DISCOVERED.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 496 hours in all; 496 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 496 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12-F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,000 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 700 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 pm from GRB, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.