# NTSB ATL91LA147: Cessna 150J, N5519G, Greensboro, NC, May 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1991, 21:48 local (May 14, 1991, 01:48 UTC)
- Place: Greensboro, NC
- Coordinates: 36.070404, -79.769226 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0704&lon=-79.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA147

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING THE LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND LACK OF RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not maintained (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE STRUCK A ROCK DURING LDG ROLL.  HE HAD LANDED IN THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY BECAUSE MOST OF THE RWY LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. IT WAS A DARK NIGHT & THE AVAILABLE LIGHTS CAUSED HIM TO MISJUDGE HIS FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT SAID.  HIS PAX SAID HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWY ON LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5519G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5519G-1992-12-29), registration cancelled 1992-12-29, S/N 15071019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071019
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: King, William B
- Registered owner: Wampler, Samuel M
- Airport: 3A4, Greensboro Southeast, runway 17, 3,063 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 672 total, 25 in this make and model, 446 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 15 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 19910513019709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910513019709A), May 13, 1991: Cessna 150J, Greensboro, NC, Substantial damage. Impacted mowed ground along side of paved runway. Collapsed nose gear and cartwheeled. Only three runway lights lit

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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