Cessna 120 accident near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, August 12, 1994
On August 12, 1994, a Cessna 120, registered N1987V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Manitowoc, Wisconsin (Manitowoc County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the private pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll. A related factor is his lack of total experience.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 1994
- Place
- Manitowoc, Wisconsin · Manitowoc County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 120 · all 120s on the register
- Registration
- N1987V · no longer on the register · serial 14198
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED HE MADE A NORMAL THREE POINT LANDING IN THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE. HE STATED DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE APPLIED HARD BRAKES AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED 62 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, INCLUDING 18 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE. HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT INDICATED HE HAD FLOWN ONE HOUR IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE WITHIN THE 90 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. HE PASSED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CHECKRIDE SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT IN A TRICYCLE LANDING GEAR 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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 62 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 26 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,395 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 1994; 71 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Magnus Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: SBM Sheboygan WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,007 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.