The Cessna 140 pilot reported that he was about three miles south of the non-tower-controlled airport near Keystone Heights, Florida, inbound for landing, when he heard another pilot announce they were on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for the same runway.
He elected to perform a 360° right turn to “allow the other aircraft time to clear the pattern.”
He told investigators that, while in the turn, he “noticed acres and acres of pristine/plush land.”
He decided to perform an off-airport landing in a field.
During the landing roll, livestock began to walk in front of the airplane and the pilot took action to avoid a collision. This resulted in a nose-over and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, wings, and fuselage.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper decision to perform an impromptu off-airport landing and his failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
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This February 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Got to be a joke nobody would do this
I dunno…
A 76-year-old Private pilot finally succumbed to temptation…and did what we’ve ALL considered doing at some point (although maybe with a bit more advanced planning).
C’mon, admit it!
He obviously regretted doing it: He quit flying altogether as a result. Glad he walked away unscathed; but that beautiful 140 probably won’t fly again either…and it was a 100 HP conversion to boot!
Guess the cows should’ve ‘mooooooooooooooooooooo-ved’
As telegraphed by an old airmail pilot after an unplanned landing. “Forced landing. Airplane damaged. Killed cow. Scared me.”
I’m sorry….. Are you freaking Kidding me. He had no issues with the aircraft, just decided to land in a field, obviously didn’t clear the area / field just went in. This kind of behavior is Absolutely Unreal. I have no problem with insurance companies not being expected to pay when the accident was TOTALLY UNWARRANTED. Maybe if we quit rewarding Stupidity with insurance payments some of these people would think twice about what they do. Just my 2 cents worth !!!!!!!!!!!!
What a shame
When I was learning to fly one of the first things the instructor told me, “If you need to make an emergency landing, try to pick a horse field. Horses will run from the plane; cows will just stand there and look at you”
Lots of wide open land looks “landing worthy” from the air! You don’t get to see small ditches, sodden areas, a stray metal fence post, wire electric fences and other obstacles until you are rolling out! But you sure can see obstacles with hooves! What a stupid move by this Cessna driver, and what a waste of a nice aircraft!
He forgot to attach his cowcatcher?
Wildlife will run across in front of you. Cows will stop in front and stare at you, they are curious and also assume the right of way 😉
What insurance?
That’s a great photo for the insurance company.