Cessna 140 accident near Mount Holly, New Jersey, August 4, 2018
On August 4, 2018 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1951 Cessna 140, registered N1160D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Mount Holly, New Jersey (South Jersey Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane ballooning upon landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control and excessive brake application.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2018 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Holly, New Jersey · South Jersey Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 A, built 1951 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N1160D · no longer on the register · serial 15723
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane ballooned and then touched down on the left side of the runway centerline and exited the left side of the runway. The pilot braked hard in the grass safety area to avoid colliding with an airplane on a nearby taxiway, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that the accident was a result of pilot error. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 483 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 369 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 21, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,161.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 20, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,022 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C90-14-F (piston); 1,171 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VAY Mount Holly NJ at 7:30 pm
- Destination: VAY Mount Holly NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,881 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from KVAY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 25, 2019. 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 |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.