# NTSB BFO93LA120: Cessna 150J, N50896, East Corinth, ME, July 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1993, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: East Corinth, ME
- Location: 45.0026° N, 69.0236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of East Corinth, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0026&lon=-69.0236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA120

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF AIRSPEED WHILE MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WITHOUT AIRSPEED INDICATION, AND THE BLOCK PITOT TUBE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (cause)
  - airspeed indicator - unavailable, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS NOT WORKING. HE REPORTED THAT THE FIELD WAS TOO SHORT TO SAFELY ABORT THE TAKEOFF. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE MADE A 180 AND RETURNED TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE FLOATED DOWN THE RUNWAY, AND BECAUSE THE RUNWAY WAS SHORT HE FORCED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RUNWAY WHICH RESULTED IN A PORPOISE. WHILE CORRECTING FOR THE PORPOISE THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE BETWEEN TWO BUILDINGS AND UNDER POWERLINES. THE AIRPLANE FINALLY HIT A CURB AND NOSED DOWN. THE PITOT TUBE WAS DISMANTLED AND FOUND FULL OF SMALL WORMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50896](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50896), registered now, S/N 15069625, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069625
- Airframe hours: 4737
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Stephenson
- Registered owner: Thomas Stephenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 55 hours before
- Airport: East Corinth, runway 28, 1,900 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 353 total, 284 in this make and model, 284 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 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 19930713023259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930713023259A), Jul 13, 1993: Cessna 150J, East Corinth, ME, Substantial damage. Aborted due no airspeed. Overshot runway landing in reverse direction. Pitot fouled by worms.

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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