# NTSB ATL03LA083: Cessna 150, N6621G, Trenton, TN, April 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2003, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Trenton, TN - Coordinates: 35.933334, -88.848335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9333&lon=-88.8483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Memphis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56890/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control in flight and failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall, and subsequent collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6621G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6621G-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15072121, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15072121 - Airframe hours: 4244.3 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2002, 70 hours before - Departed: TGC, Trenton, TN - Airport: TGC, Trenton Gibson County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 16, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,757 total, 80 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 25 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 20030425037029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030425037029A), Apr 25, 2003: Cessna 150L, Trenton, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot induced accelerated stall during windy conditions and maneuvering turns close to the ground with the flaps extended 20 degrees while observing… 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.