# Accident 19980603012119A: Cessna 150G, Selbyville, DE, June 3, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 1998, 16:37 local time
- Place: Selbyville, DE
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff Ground Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.4696° N, 75.1708° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4696&lon=-75.1708&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3731J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3731J-2013-05-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 150G (registry code 2071816, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Reported engine: LYC O320E2D
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 313 total, 130 in this make and model, 84 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD98LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA067) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980603012119A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AFTER PICKING UP A BANNER ON CLIMBOUT A WIND GUST CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. CRASHED INTO TREES. UNDER POWERED FOR OPS.S (.4)ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WHEN HE PICKED UP A BANNER, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE LEFT WING AND BANKED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT.  DESPITE HIS EFFORTS OF APPLYING LEFT RUDDER AND LEFT AILERON, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT, INTO THE TREE LINE THAT SURROUNDED THE GRASS STRIP.  HE DROPPED THE BANNER AND TRIED TO CLIMB, BUT THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE TREES, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.  THE CLOSEST WEATHER REPORTING STATION ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, REPORTED THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AS 310 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS, WITH WIND GUSTS TO 18 KNOTS.  THE PILOT SAID THAT HE ESTIMATED THE WIND SPEED TO BE 15 KNOTS WITH WIND GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRPLANE OR THE ENGINE.                                                              (-23) WHILE PICKING UP A BANNER, A STRONG GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HE CRASHED INTO TREES THAT BORDERED THE FIELD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD98LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA067), Jun 3, 1998: Cessna 150G (N3731J), Selbyville, DE, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. High, gusting winds were contributing factors.

## Other reports on N3731J (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19960524018679I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960524018679I), May 24, 1996: Cessna 150G (N3731J), Selbyville, DE, Minor damage. Narrative: on may 24, 1996 at approximately 1230 hours, a Cessna CE-150, N3731J piloted by royce m. newton, a commercial pilot experienced some difficulties…
- [Incident 19890722048519I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890722048519I), Jul 22, 1989: Cessna 150G (N3731J), Shelbyville, DE, Minor damage. Banner tow operator unable to release banner. Landed with banner. Bounced and damaged prop. Cause not given.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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