# NTSB BFO94LA089: Cessna 150, N2480J, Troy, NY, June 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1994, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Troy, NY - Coordinates: 42.729011, -73.670379 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7290&lon=-73.6704&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): 8927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA089 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A TREE. A FACTOR IS CROSSWINDS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 36 WHEN IT SUDDENLY ENCOUNTERED A CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO SINK AND DRIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLIED POWER TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. HE STATED THAT HE TRIED TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE CENTERLINE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK A TREE AND SPUN THE AIRCRAFT AROUND. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE REPORTED WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 290 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, AND THAT THE TREES WERE REMOVED BY OTHER PILOTS SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE WIND REVERSAL AND WIND SHEAR CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1994, at 1350 eastern daylight time, N2480J, a Cessna 150, struck trees during landing at Rensselaer County Airport, Troy, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach to runway 36 when it suddenly encountered a change in wind direction. He stated that the airplane started to sink and it drifted slightly to the right. The pilot stated that he applied power to arrest the sink rate. He also stated that he tried to align the airplane with the centerline, but he was unsuccessful. The right wing tip struck a tree and spun the aircraft around. According to the FAA, the reported winds at the time of the accident were 290 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 20 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction, and that the trees were removed by other pilots several days after the accident. He also reported that the wind reversal and wind shear caused the airplane to drift to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2480J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2480J-2001-11-02), registration cancelled 2001-11-02, S/N 15065580, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065580 - Airframe hours: 3502 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael A Dwyer - Registered owner: Michael A Dwyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1994, 20 hours before - Airport: 5B7, Rensselaer County, runway 36, 2,670 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,905 total, 203 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 45 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 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 19940604013819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940604013819A), Jun 4, 1994: Cessna 150G, Troy, NY, Destroyed. Windshear and drift on final. Tried realigntoo late. Wing struck trees. Spun aircraft around prior gound impact. 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.