# NTSB ANC09CA081: Cessna 150H, N6687S, Talkeetna, AK, August 12, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 12, 2009, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.318889, -150.089447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3189&lon=-150.0894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74509/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74509
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA081

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot reported that he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, hard-surfaced runway, at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. He said that during touchdown, the airplane bounced slightly and he added engine power to cushion the landing. As the airplane touched down again, it ground looped to the left. The airplane’s right wing and right elevator struck the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The solo private pilot reported he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, hard-surfaced runway, at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. He said that during touchdown, the airplane bounced slightly and he added engine power to cushion the landing. As the airplane touched down again, it ground looped to the left. The airplane’s right wing and right elevator struck the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6687S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6687S), registered now, S/N 15067487, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15067487
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph A. Garner
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Garner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2009
- Departed: 4AK6, Palmer, AK
- Destination: TKA, Talkeetna, AK
- Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 18, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 8 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20090812048669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090812048669A), Aug 12, 2009: Cessna 150H, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. During the landing phase at Talkeetna Airport, the airman experienced a bounced landing, upon which he lost control and ground looped the aircraft.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74509. 608 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 608 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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