# NTSB BFO91LA026: Cessna 150, N19240, Harrisonburg, VA, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Harrisonburg, VA
- Coordinates: 38.429779, -78.87014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4298&lon=-78.8701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS PREMATURE RAISING OF THE FLAPS, AND INADEQUATE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE APPROACH WAS FLOWN USING FULL FLAPS AT AN AIRSPEED OF 70 MPH. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE LANDING FLARE THE AIRCRAFT FLOATED ABOUT 5 FEET OVER THE RUNWAY. HE APPLIED SOME POWER TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE EFFECT OF ENGINE TORQUE, THE AIRCRAFT BANKED TO THE LEFT. HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND APPLIED FULL POWER. HE RAISED THE FLAPS AND LEVELED THE WINDS, BUT THE AIRCRAFT BANKED AND YAWED LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DIRT BANK OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19240-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 15074265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074265
- Airframe hours: 4120
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Quality Flying Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 31, 1991, 4 hours before
- Departed: W49, CULPEPER, VA
- Destination: SHD, HARRISONBURG, VA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SHD, Shenandoah Valley, runway 23, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHD

## 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 19910203001449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001449A), Feb 3, 1991: Cessna 150L, Staunton-Waynes, VA, Substantial damage. Floated on landing,added power for go around. Failed to compensate for torque. Yawed left,struck berm off runway.

## Other investigations on N19240 (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 CHI74DEE45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEE45), Dec 30, 1973: Cessna 150 (N19240), Lansing, IL, substantial damage

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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