# NTSB ATL86LA241: Cessna 150, N3410J, Smithfield, NC, September 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1986, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Smithfield, NC
- Coordinates: 35.499618, -78.339233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4996&lon=-78.3392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A PRACTICE LANDING HE FLARED TOO HIGH OFF THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE, CAUSING THE NOSEWHEEL TO STRIKE THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED INVERTED. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3410J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3410J), registered now, S/N 15066110 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- 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: 15066110
- Airframe hours: 5300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilder, Barna O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1986, 2 hours before
- Airport: W27, Johnston County, runway 3, 4,400 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860904044879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860904044879A), Sep 4, 1986: Cessna 150G, Smithfield, NC, Substantial damage. Student pilot landed aircraft nosewheel first,collapsing it and causing aircraft to veer off the side of the runway

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.