# NTSB ATL87LA141: Cessna 150, N704EA, China Grove, NC, May 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1987, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: China Grove, NC
- Coordinates: 35.570835, -80.579521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5708&lon=-80.5795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A SUPERVISED SOLO CROSSCOUNTRY FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE GOT LOST AND WAS UNABLE TO VISUALLY LOCATE HIS CHECK POINT. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT APPROACH CONTROL FOR RADAR FIXES, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRCRAFT PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704EA-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 15078542, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-78542
- Airframe hours: 4670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A48 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tar Heel Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 30, 1986, 64 hours before
- Departed: DARLINGTON, SC
- Destination: BURLINGTON, NC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 42 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19870516038889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870516038889A), May 16, 1987: Cessna 150M, China Grove, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over during a precautionary landing in a plowed field. The student was lost and low on fuel.

## Other investigations on N704EA (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 ATL90LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA084), Mar 18, 1990: Cessna 150M (N704EA), Beaufort, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DELAYED PULL UP FROM AN INTENTIONAL DESCENT DURING AN ABORTED SUICIDE ATTEMPT.

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.

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