Cessna 120 accident near Mineral Canyon, Utah, November 1, 2009
On November 1, 2009 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Cessna 120, registered N2729N, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Mineral Canyon, Utah (Mineral Canyon Strip Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's incorrect use of brakes, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 2009 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Mineral Canyon, Utah · Mineral Canyon Strip Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 120 · all 120s on the register
- Registration
- N2729N · no longer on the register · serial 12987
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the departure roll the airplane was not performing as he had expected. He opted to abort the takeoff by aggressively applying brakes. The airplane nosed over, damaging the wings and tail section. The pilot stated that accident could have been prevented if he had "better control of braking." He further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
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
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 284 hours in all; 92 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 208 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,078 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C85 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aviation Facilities INC
The flight
- Departed from: PGA Page CA at 7:00 pm
- Destination: UT75 Mineral Canyon UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.