Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's selection of an unuitable landing strip for landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot elected to land on a grass strip to check his fuel caps for he had failed to do this prior to departure. During landing rollout the aircraft collided with a drainage ditch which was obscured by grass. The aircraft then nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 14, 1995, about 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, N3625V, registered to Sandra L. Ledgerwood, collided with a ditch and nosed over while landing on a grass strip at Foxworth, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at about 1630. The pilot stated that after departure from Hattiesburg he realized he had not checked his fuel caps. He saw a grass landing strip below him and decided to land there and check his caps. While on the landing roll the airplane collided with a drainage ditch which was obscured by tall grass and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported the accident to NTSB on April 19, 1995. -