# NTSB BFO94LA114: Cessna 150, N714CX, Swanton, VT, June 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1994, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Swanton, VT
- Location: 44.9389° N, 73.0971° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRANKLIN COUNTY STATE (FSO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9389&lon=-73.0971&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA114

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - landing gear,nose gear - sheared
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED RUNWAY 19 ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT.  DURING HIS FIRST LANDING THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE EAST SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE CROSSED OVER A DRAINAGE DITCH, AND THE NOSE GEAR SHEARED OFF.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 1994, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N714CX, piloted by John H. Bridgman, was substantially damaged during a landing in Swanton, Vermont.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The instructional flight was being operated by Champlain Valley Aviation, Incorporated of Swanton.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

The student pilot reported that he was signed off for his first solo flight after doing 5 landings with his instructor.  The student departed runway 19 and continued in the pattern on his first circuit.  During the touchdown, the airplane veered towards the east side of the runway.  The airplane continued off the east side of the runway and struck taxiway lights.  The airplane continued east and crossed over a drainage ditch, and the nose gear sheared off.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest.

Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no discrepancies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714CX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714CX-1997-05-16), registration cancelled 1997-05-16, S/N 15079084 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079084
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Champlain Valley Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1994
- Departed: FSO
- Airport: FSO, Franklin County State, runway 19, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 20 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940624016909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940624016909A), Jun 24, 1994: Cessna 150M, Highgate, VT, Substantial damage. First solo. Lost directional control left runway on landing. Struck a ditch and nosed over.

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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