# NTSB ATL91LA012: Cessna 150M, N3490V, Williamston, NC, October 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1990, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Williamston, NC
- Coordinates: 35.849205, -77.050399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8492&lon=-77.0504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA012

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE DURING THE NIGHT LANDING ATTEMPT. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN GEOGRAPHIC ORIENTATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT FLIGHT INTO NIGHT CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT'S LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE WAS ALSO A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS FLYING THE THIRD LEG OF HIS 300 MILE SOLO CROSS COUNTRY WHEN HE BECAME LOST. HE CONTINUED THE FLIGHT AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FSS VIA RADIO. HE CONTINUED FLYING PAST SUNSET WHILE LOOKING FOR FAMILIAR LANDMARKS. FINALLY, HE LOCATED AN AIRFIELD AND ATTEMPTED A NIGHT LANDING. UPON LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED, THEN LANDED HARD, BENDING THE NOSE GEAR. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP ON ITS RIGHT WING. THE PILOT'S ONLY NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE OCCURRED EIGHT MONTHS EARLIER, WHEN HE LOGGED .9 HOURS OF NIGHT TIME, WITH FIVE NIGHT LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3490V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3490V-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 15076520, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- 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: 15076520
- Airframe hours: 6657
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Laurence A. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1990, 82 hours before
- Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: PGV, GREENVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MCZ, Martin County, runway 21, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 57 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PGV

## 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 19901029047299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901029047299A), Oct 29, 1990: Cessna 150M, Williamston, NC, Substantial damage. Lost. Continued flight until locating an airport after dark. Bounced and wing hit runway. Limited night experience.

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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