# NTSB ANC12CA045: Cessna 150G, N3235J, Ketchikan, AK, June 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 2, 2012, 16:15 local (Jun 3, 2012, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Ketchikan, AK - Coordinates: 55.352222, -131.706665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.3522&lon=-131.7067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83848/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83848 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA045 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 150G, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071816), [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. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he departed from runway 29, a dry, paved runway, with a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot said that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was departing a dry paved runway, which required a correction for a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left, with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. In the pilot’s written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3235J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3235J-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 15065935, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065935 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: PAKT, Ketchikan, AK - Destination: PAYA, Yakutat, AK - Airport: PAKT, Ketchikan International, runway 29, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 491 total, 0 in this make and model, 429 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PAKT ## 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 20120602011239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120602011239A), Jun 2, 2012: Cessna 150G, Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. On June 2, 2012, a tailwheel equipped Cessna 150G sustained substantial damage after a loss of control and subsequent landing gear failure during an attempted… ## Other investigations on N3235J (2) 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 ANC92LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA047), Mar 15, 1992: Cessna 150G (N3235J), Juneau, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. - [NTSB SEA71FYE34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71FYE34), Jun 9, 1971: Cessna 150 (N3235J), Issaquah, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83848. 731 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 698 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.