NTSB Factual Report

On July 13, 2001, at 2006 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2005V, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing on runway 08 (3,975 feet by 100 feet, grass) at the Black Hills-Ice Airport, Spearfish, South Dakota. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at Spearfish, South Dakota, at 2000.

The pilot reported that he departed the airport and made a left hand traffic pattern to land on runway 08. He reported he was going to make a full stop landing using rudder control on the grass runway. He continued to report, "Airplane started going to right. Used small corrections left rudder. Did not change made more corrections, Airplane was leaving right side of runway. The I believe I pushed on both rudders and brakes. Airplane turned sharp right hand 90 [degree] turn. Broke left, slammed left wing into ground."

A witness to the accident reported, "The plane touched down, bounced up a little and then touched down again and started veering to the right. The right wheel broke off and the plane tipped over on the left wing."

On the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form completed by the pilot, he indicated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction of the airplane.

The student pilot reported a total of 52 hours of flight time, 14 of which were in the accident make and model of airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and his lack of experience in the make and model of the accident airplane.