# NTSB ATL03LA086: Cessna 150G, N2938J, Montgomery, AL, May 3, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 2003, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, AL - Coordinates: 32.300556, -86.384162 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3006&lon=-86.3842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA086 ## Probable cause The in-flight collision with birds that resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - bird(s) (cause) - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis During cruise flight at 4500 feet mean sea level, the airplane collided with a flock of geese and began to vibrate violently. The pilot made the decision to land the airplane and located a field for landing. Upon initial touchdown on the field, the pilot realized that the field was marshy, and rough, and attempted a go-around. The pilot stated he applied full power, but the airplane struggled to climb as the engine produced "2200 RPM, compared to the normal 2500 takeoff RPM." He noticed a clearing to the left of the airplane, and while turning in the direction of the clearing, the landing gear and left wing clipped the trees. The airplane came to rest on the ground about 30 feet beyond the trees, inverted. The pilot transmitted distress calls over the Columbus Approach frequency and the National Guard frequency. A nearby Air National Guard helicopter was directed to the accident location and airlifted the pilot to a nearby hospital. Examination of the airplane revealed the right and left wing spars were buckled. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 2003, at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N2938J, registered to Romanair Incorporated and operated by a private pilot, collided with a flock of geese while in cruise flight and conducted an emergency landing into a field near Montgomery, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Columbus Airport, Columbus, Georgia, at 1449, on May 3, 2003. According to the pilot, during cruise flight at 4500 feet mean sea level, the airplane collided with a flock of geese and began to vibrate violently. The pilot made the decision to land the airplane and located a field for landing. A traffic pattern approach to land was made, and the pilot set the flaps at 20 degrees and slowed to 70 knots. Upon initial touchdown on the field, the pilot realized that the field was marshy, and rough, and attempted a go-around. The pilot stated he applied full power, but the airplane struggled to climb as the engine produced "2200 RPM, compared to the normal 2500 takeoff RPM." He noticed a clearing to the left of the airplane, and while turning in the direction of the clearing, the landing gear clipped a tree. The left wing collided with another tree sending the airplane into a severe yaw to the left. The airplane came to rest on the ground about 30 feet beyond the trees, inverted. The pilot transmitted distress calls over the Columbus Approach frequency and the National Guard frequency. A nearby Air National Guard helicopter was directed to the accident location and airlifted the pilot to a nearby hospital. Examination of the airplane revealed the right and left wing spars were buckled. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2938J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2938J-2004-05-11), registration cancelled 2004-05-11, S/N 15065738, 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: 15065738 - Airframe hours: 3445 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel A. Wolcott - Registered owner: Romanair Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 31, 2003 - Departed: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA - Destination: MGM, Montgomery, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 30, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 201 total, 44 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: CSG, 30 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 20030503009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030503009119A), May 3, 2003: Cessna 150G, Tuskegee, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was flying at approximately 4,500 feet when he nearly hit a large goose, he then looked to the left and saw approximately 20 to 30 geese at which… 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.