Cessna 140 accident near Cedar Mountain, Utah, June 25, 2023
On June 25, 2023 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1948 Cessna 140, registered N2358V, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Cedar Mountain, Utah (Cedar Mountain Air Strip airport). 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
The pilot’s decision to depart with a high density altitude, which degraded the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in an impact with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2023 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cedar Mountain, Utah · Cedar Mountain Air Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 140, built 1948 · all 140s on the register
- Registration
- N2358V · registry record · serial 14594
- 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 became airborne at mid field. Shortly after, he felt a “settling sensation” and the airplane did not climb any further. The pilot checked the engine controls to ensure full power was available. Beyond the end of the runway, the airplane struck trees and came to rest between them. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that the temperature at the time of departure was 21° C, and that the airport elevation was 7550 ft msl. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,268 hours in all; 315 in this make and model; 155 in the last 90 days; 47 in the last 30 days; 2,088 as pilot in command; 953 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 18, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,464 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2023; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-90-12-F (piston); 2,464 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 41U Ephraim UT at 4:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,000 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KPUC, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPUC 251753Z AUTO 20004KT 10SM CLR 25/M08 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02501078 10250 20100 58005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 26, 2023. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | 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.