# NTSB ATL96LA057: Cessna 150L, N7176G, Cummings, GA, March 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 1996, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Cummings, GA - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3699/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA057 ## Probable cause the pilot's abrupt retraction of the flaps and his failure to coordinate airspeed with flap retraction which resulted in the lack of airplane performance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - go-around - performed, pilot in command - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - raising of flaps - abrupt, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was making full-stop landings and takeoffs. On the second landing, as he flared for touchdown, the airplane ballooned. The pilot elected to go around. He stated that the airplane did not appear to be performing well, and that the rate of climb was insufficient to avoid rising terrain at the end of the runway. He therefore did not adjust the flaps. The owner of the airplane indicated that the pilot failed to adjust the nose attitude in coordination with flap retraction. The flaps were found in the retracted position when the airplane was examined following the accident. The engine was placed on a test stand and operated. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 1996, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N7176G, collided with a tree while executing a go-around at Mathis airstrip, Cummings, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local, personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred about 45 minutes into the flight. The pilot had been conducting practice full-stop takeoffs and landings. He provided the following information: On the second landing, he "ballooned" the airplane when he flared for the touchdown. A go-around was begun, but the airplane's climb performance seemed inadequate, and the flaps were not adjusted. A climb was achieved with insufficient rate to clear rising terrain at the end of the runway. The left wing struck a tree followed by the pilot's loss of consciousness. The airplane's owner submitted a report of the accident in which he stated that the pilot climbed too steeply while the flaps were retracting. According to him, the airplane then started to "mush" and collided with trees and the ground. Information provided by the local sheriff's deputy, who investigated the accident, indicated that the flaps were in the retracted position when the airplane was examined at the accident site following the accident. During post accident examination of the engine, it was mounted on a test stand and operated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7176G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7176G-1997-02-11), registration cancelled 1997-02-11, S/N 15074620 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15074620 - Airframe hours: 3869 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John S. Wheeler - Registered owner: Eugene A. Brown - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1995, 63 hours before - Departed: 84A - Airport: PVT, Mathis, runway 21, 1,500 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 100 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 30 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 19960304003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960304003509A), Mar 4, 1996: Cessna 150L, Cumming, GA, Destroyed. Tried go around short strip. Dumped flaps. Behind power curve. Unable clear rising terrain. Struck trees and ground 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.