# NTSB BFO94LA077: Cessna 150, N11522, Westminster, MD, April 25, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1994, 09:57 local (13:57 UTC)
- Place: Westminster, MD
- Coordinates: 39.570381, -77.000854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5704&lon=-77.0009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA077

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and the inflight loss of control.  A factor is the pilot's failure to do a go around.

## 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)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the first approach to runway 31, he encountered a 'strong crosswind' from the right and decided to go around.  During the second approach, he attempted to correct for the crosswind, and was 'surprised'  by a gust of wind.  He stated he delayed the decision to go-around, allowed the airplane to drift to the left, and allowed the airspeed to decrease below the stall speed.  The airplane aerodynamically stalled and impacted trees.

## Factual narrative

On April 25, 1994, at 0957 hours eastern daylight time, N11522, a Cessna 150, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted tress during an uncontrolled descent and was destroyed.  The uncontrolled descent occurred while climbing during a go-around attempt at the Clearview Airpark, Westminster, Maryland.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The personal flight originated from York, Pennsylvania, about 0900 hours and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot, age 74,  stated that during the first approach to runway 31, he encountered a "strong crosswind" from the right and decided to go around.  During the second approach, he attempted to correct for the crosswind, and was "surprised"  by a gust of wind.  He stated "I took - too late - the decision to go around again.  At this moment I was too low, too slow over the woods and stalled."

According to an FAA aviation safety inspector, the airplane impacted trees on the south side of the runway.  No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11522](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11522-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 150-75484, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075484
- Airframe hours: 3130
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Guggenheim, Raymond
- Registered owner: Guggenheim, Raymond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1993, 7 hours before
- Departed: THV, YORK, PA
- Airport: 2W2, Clearview Airpark, runway 31, 1,845 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 856 total, 650 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: IAD, 45 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 19940425009199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940425009199A), Apr 25, 1994: Cessna 150M, Westminster, MD, Destroyed. Encountered strong crosswind on first landing try. On second try same thing only drifted and stalled on go around.

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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