NTSB Factual Report

On May 9, 2003, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 140, N72942, was substantially damaged during a go-around from a simulated forced landing in Suffolk, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he departed his home base, Franklin Municipal-John Beverley Rose Airport (FKN), Franklin, Virginia, and flew to Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Norfolk, Virginia, for maintenance. After the maintenance was completed, he flew to Suffolk Municipal Airport (SQF), Suffolk, Virginia, where he performed three touch and go landings, after which he planned to return to Franklin. En route to Franklin, he saw a large wheat field, and elected to perform a practice approach, simulating a forced landing.

The pilot reported that he retarded the power, added carburetor heat, and left the wing flaps retracted. He brought the airplane down to an altitude where the wheels were just above the top of the wheat field. He further stated:

"...[that he] misjudged altitude on go around. AC [aircraft] contacted wheat and nosed over...."

The pilot reported that as he contacted, the wheat, the airplane decelerated, and continued to sink further into the wheat. The pilot reported that there were no problems with the engine when he added power for the go-around.

According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. In addition, the right wing and right wing strut were also bent.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of his altitude from the wheat field during the execution of a go-around.