Cessna 140 accident near Ulysses, Kansas, March 15, 1996
On March 15, 1996 at about 11:10 pm local time, a Cessna 140, registered N76632, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ulysses, Kansas (Smith (Private Field)). 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
Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and his improper use of brakes and elevator control, while aborting the takeoff. A factor relating to the accident was the gusty wind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 15, 1996 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- Ulysses, Kansas · Smith (Private Field) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N76632 · registry record · serial 11072
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff from a private field, the pilot encountered a gust of wind and decided to abort the takeoff after the airplane drifted to the right of the runway. He used a combination of braking and forward stick, while aborting the takeoff, and said that the airplane nosed over. The pilot said he was never taught how to perform an aborted takeoff.
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: 96 hours in all; 66 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 1K9 Satanta KS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,500 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from GCK, 34 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.