Cessna 140 accident near Independence, Oregon, June 12, 2019
On June 12, 2019 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 1946 Cessna 140, registered N73053, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Independence, Oregon (Independence State airport). It was an instructional 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
Fatigue failure of the right landing gear axle, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2019 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Independence, Oregon · Independence State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140 Undesignat, built 1946 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N73053 · no longer on the register · serial 10265
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the instructor, the accident landing was the second landing of the flight. As the tailwheel-equipped airplane was slowing down and they were exiting the runway, there was a loud "clunk." The airplane slid sideways, bounced, and then ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The instructor reported that the right wheel assembly separated at the axle. Examination of the fractured axle assembly revealed that the axle fractured at the transition radius between the longitudinal barrel (tube) portion and the plate portion. A fatigue crack emanated from multiple origins at the outer surface of the transition radius and extended circumferentially around the outer surface of the transition radius. The fracture features outside of the fatigue region showed features consistent with overstress separation. The maintenance history of the landing gear and axle could not be determined. The fatigue crack started at the transition radius most likely as the result of a hard landing or several hard landings. Once the fatigue crack started, the crack propagated during taxiing and additional takeoffs and landings.
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
- Part(s) separation from AC during landing (landing roll)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Main gear strut/axle/truck › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,879 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 302 in the last 90 days; 68 in the last 30 days; 1,860 as pilot in command; 741 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 22, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 24 hours in all; 24 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,494.9 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 7, 2018; 33.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,451 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1 (piston); 9,737 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ONP Newport OR at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 3,142 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KSLE, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSLE 122056Z 10SM CLR 33/14 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP110 T03330139 58014=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 15, 2022. 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 | Materials Laboratoryfactual Report 19-086 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Student Pilot) | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Flight Instructor) | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Safo 10007 - Tundra Tire Installation/approval for Airplanes Equipped with Leaf Spring Type Main Landing Gear | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | 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.