# NTSB ATL00LA040: Cessna 150M, N45618, Leesburg, FL, April 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2000, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, FL - Coordinates: 28.900779, -81.810157 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9008&lon=-81.8102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects during the final approach. A factor was downdraft on final approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis After takeoff, the enroute flight was normal, but while on final approach to land on runway 21, the flight encountered turbulence. The pilot stated that as he approached the runway threshold, an unexpected severe down draft 'sucked' him down. He stated that the nose gear collided with a jet blast deflector at the approach end of the runway and the airplane subsequently collided with the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to an eyewitness, the airplane appeared to be low on approach. The witness stated that the nose gear collided with the concrete blast fence and then the airplane collided with the runway in a nose low attitude and slid to a stop. The witness stated that it was windy with strong gusts at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The winds were from 230 degrees magnetic heading at 9 knots with gusts up to 14 knots. . ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2000, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N45618, collided with a jet blast deflection fence on final approach to runway 21, at the Leesburg Municipal Airport in Leesburg, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local pleasure flight. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane departed Crystal River, Florida, at 1230. According to the pilot, after takeoff from Crystal River the enroute flight was normal, but while on final approach to land on runway 21, the flight encountered turbulence. He stated that as he approached the runway threshold an unexpected severe down draft "sucked" him down. He stated that the nose gear collided with a jet blast deflector at the approach end of the runway and the airplane subsequently collided with the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to an eyewitness, the airplane appeared to be low on approach. The witness stated that the nose gear collided with the concrete blast fence and then the airplane collided with the runway in a nose low attitude and slid to a stop. The witness stated that it was windy with strong gusts at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The winds were from 230 degrees magnetic heading at 9 knots with gusts up to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45618](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45618-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 15076992, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076992 - Airframe hours: 2002 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Everett Gosney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1999, 18 hours before - Departed: X31, CRYSTAL RIVER, FL - Airport: LEE, Leesburg Municipal, runway 21, 4,152 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,470 total, 872 in this make and model, 1,470 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LEE ## 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 20000408009989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000408009989A), Apr 8, 2000: Cessna 150M, Leesburg, FL, No damage. (-23)On 04/08/2000, at approximately 1305 EST., a Cessna CE-150, N45618, s/n 15076992, owned and operated by Mr. Paul e. gosney, operated under part 91, VFR,… 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.