# NTSB ATL88LA124: Cessna 150G, N2738S, Muscle Shoals, AL, March 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1988, 16:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Muscle Shoals, AL
- Coordinates: 34.739685, -87.64051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7397&lon=-87.6405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,electric wiring - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,alternator - disabled (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER DURING THE LOCAL, SOLO FLT. THE STUDENT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG AT  MUSCLE SHOALS ARPT (MSL) WHICH WAS THE NEAREST ARPT.  HE MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON RWY 36, WITH A 12-20 KT TAILWIND: ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, HE WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE AIRPLANE ON THE RWY AND HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND.  ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, HE LANDED; THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE 4,000 FT RWY AND NOSED OVER.  THE STUDENT RPTD THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ARPT WINDSOCK PRIOR TO LDG.  THE WINDSOCK IS LOCATED AT ABOUT MIDFIELD, ACCORDING TO ARPT LAYOUT DIAGRAMS.  POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE BY A MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FIELD WIRE HAD BROKEN AT THE FIELD TERMINAL, WHICH DISABLED THE ALTERNATOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO A DISCHARGED BATTERY.  THE STUDENT HAD ONLY ABOUT 1 HR SOLO FLT EXPERIENCE.  HE HAD PREVIOUSLY LANDED AT MSL, DURING A DUAL-INSTRUCTIONAL FLT ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2738S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2738S-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 15066638, 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: 15066638
- Airframe hours: 2829
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Holt, H.B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 20, 1988
- Departed: M22, RUSSELLVILLE, AL
- Airport: MSL, Muscle Shoals, runway 36, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL

## 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 19880324061819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880324061819A), Mar 24, 1988: Cessna 150G, Muscle Shoals, AL, Substantial damage. Overran runway after landing in strong tailwind. Reported electrical failure. Field voltage wire off alternator.

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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