ATL03LA083

According to the pilot, he was assisting the local police in the apprehension of a bank robber. The pilot stated that he entered a steep turn. As the pilot continued the maneuver, he reported encountering a wind gust and was unable to recover before the airplane collided with the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no flight control or mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

On April 25, 2003, at 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N6621G, registered to a private owner and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with the ground while chasing a bank robber near Trenton, Tennessee. The observation flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Trenton, Tennessee, at 1400 on April 25, 2003.

According to the pilot, he was assisting the local police in the tracking and apprehension of a bank robber. During the observation flight, the robber was tracked to an open field near the airport. The pilot entered a steep turn in an effort to corral the bank robber into a confined area until ground personnel were on site. As the pilot continued the maneuver, he reported encountering a wind gust and he was unable to recover. The pilot stated "the right wing dropped then the left wing dropped just as level attitude was acquired". The pilot stated that he was flying between 500 and 1000 feet above the ground and did not have enough altitude to recover rapid descent before the airplane collided with the ground.

Aviation service weather from Mc Kellar-Sipes Regional Airport, Jackson, Tennessee at 1553 local standard time recorded winds from 250 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 21 knots, 10 statute miles of visibility, few at 4400 feet. Temperature was reported at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 52 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.55.

The wreckage distribution of the downed airplane covered an area of 75 feet long and 75 feet wide along a magnetic path of 190 degrees. The right side of the fuselage was buckled. The left main landing gear was separated, and the engine was displaced foward. Examination of the airplane revealed no flight control or mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.