# NTSB ATL03LA096: Cessna 150G, N2970S, Morris, AL, May 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2003, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Morris, AL - Coordinates: 33.75, -86.833335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7500&lon=-86.8333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA096 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, which resulted in a ground collision with terrain, and subsequent collapse of the nose gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a few minutes of flying, he noticed a surge in RPM and he heard a loud squeal in his headset. Instead of attempting to return to the departure airport, the pilot decided to attempt a precautionary landing on a golf course near his home. During the landing rollout the nose wheel collided with a dip in the surface and collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear collapsed, the engine mounts were broke and the firewall was damaged. Examination of the flight control system revealed no mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2003, at 1220 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N2970S, registered to and owned by a commercial pilot, nose gear collapsed during a precautionary landing on a golf course near Morris, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed a private grass strip in Morris, Alabama, at 1150 on May 13, 2003. The pilot reported that after a few minutes of flying, he noticed a serge in engine RPM and he heard a loud squeal in his headset. Instead of attempting a return to the departure airport, the pilot decided to attempt a precautionary landing on a golf course near his home. During the landing rollout the nose wheel collided with a dip in the surface and collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear collapsed, the engine mounts were broke and the firewall was damaged. Examination of the flight control system revealed no mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2970S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2970S), registered now, S/N 15066870, built 1967 (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: 15066870 - Airframe hours: 3657.5 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas M. Willis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2003 - Departed: Morris, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 7, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: BHM, 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 20030513015089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030513015089A), May 13, 2003: Cessna 150G, Morris, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that the RPM gauge surged and a loud squeal was heard over the headset. The pilot elected to land on his property instead of trying to make… ## Other investigations on N2970S (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR26LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA325), Aug 17, 2026: Cessna 150 (N2970S), Socorro, NM, substantial damage, investigation ongoing 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.