# NTSB ATL01LA087: Cessna 150F, N8374G, Lake City, FL, July 20, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2001, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.08971, -82.729698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0897&lon=-82.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Tampa FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA087

## Probable cause

The pilots failure to maintain clearance during an approach to land, that resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - congested/confined area

## Analysis

On final approach at a private grass airstrip, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree branch at 30 feet above ground level. The pilot continued the approach, and the airplane touched down nosegear-first, then flipped inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear was separated, and the vertical stabilizer and left wing spar were damaged. No evidence of previous mechanical defects was discovered.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 2001, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N8374G, registered to a private owner, impacted trees during an attempted landing on a private grass strip in Lake City, Florida.  The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight departed a different private grass strip in Branford, Florida, at 1000.

According to witnesses, the pilot had recently cleared a grass strip in the pilot's back yard, which is approximately 1000 feet long. After making five passes over the new strip, the pilot attempted a short-field landing. On final approach, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree branch at 30 feet above ground level. The pilot continued the approach, and the airplane touched down on the nose gear, then flipped inverted.

Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear was separated, and the vertical stabilizer and left wing spar were damaged. No evidence of previous mechanical defects was discovered, and the pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8374G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8374G-2004-01-26), registration cancelled 2004-01-26, S/N 15062474, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062474
- Airframe hours: 7550
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Misinec
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 2001, 4 hours before
- Departed: Branford, FL
- Destination: Lake City, FL
- Airport: runway 33, 1,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review February 22, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 22 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KJAX, 40 nm away

## 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 20010720023389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010720023389A), Jul 20, 2001: Cessna 150F, Lakecity, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 20, 2001, at 10:45 local time, a Cessna 150, N8374G, registered to john misinec, collided with a tree branch on landing at a Private new strip in…

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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