CHI00LA007

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150M · Wheeling, IL · October 10, 1999

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
October 10, 1999, 17:09 local (22:09 UTC)
Place
Wheeling, IL
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N2977VCessna 150M
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 30, 2000
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19991010030479A
Case key
47569

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

aircraft control not maintained by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the windshear.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightLanding
Weather condition - windshearFactor
Aircraft control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding
Nose gear collapsedLanding - roll

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoffs and landings, prior to the accident, the winds were 300-320 degrees magnetic at a velocity of 12 knots. The pilot stated that during the last approach to the runway, the wind velocity and direction changed, 'dramatically'. The pilot reported that, 'when over the runway, in very gusty winds, I was able to hold centerline, but could not stabilize the aircraft well enough to touchdown.' The pilot stated that he applied full power for a go-around and contacted the control tower of his intentions. The pilot reported that he, 'Retracted the flaps incrementally...held full power, but airspeed would not climb above 46 knots.' The pilot stated that he flew in level flight for a couple of seconds before realizing that he would not clear the airport's perimeter fence. The pilot reported that he landed, with full power applied, rolled over a taxiway when the nose-wheel collapsed and the airplane slid to a rest. An automated surface observing system (ASOS), located on the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, reported the wind direction and intensity 4 minutes prior to the accident as 340-degrees at 12 knots. The same weather observation system reported the wind direction and intensity 1 minute after the accident as 020-degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots.

Factual narrative

On October 10, 1999, at 1709 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N2977V, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 30 (4,397 X 50, dry/asphalt) at the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, Wheeling, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The local flight departed the Palwaukee Municipal Airport at 1700.

According to the pilot's written statement, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings by means of, "full-stop taxi-backs". The pilot reported that during the takeoffs and landings, prior to the accident, the winds were 300-320 degrees magnetic at a velocity of 12 knots. The pilot stated that during the last approach to the runway, the wind velocity and direction changed, "dramatically". The pilot reported that, "when over the runway, in very gusty winds, I was able to hold centerline, but could not stabilize the aircraft well enough to touchdown." The pilot stated that he applied full power for a go-around and contacted the control tower of his intentions. The pilot reported that he, "Retracted the flaps incrementally...held full power, but airspeed would not climb above 46 knots." The pilot stated that he flew in level flight for a couple of seconds before realizing that he would not clear the airport's perimeter fence. The pilot reported that he landed, with full power applied, rolled over a taxiway when the nose-wheel collapsed and the airplane slid to a rest.

An automated surface observing system (ASOS), located on the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, reported the wind direction and intensity 4 minutes prior to the accident as 340-degrees at 12 knots. The same weather observation system reported the wind direction and intensity 1 minute after the accident as 020-degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots.

Aircraft

Registration
N2977V
Reported as
Cessna 150M
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15076340
Airframe hours
5,568
Engine
Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Joseph B. Barnett
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility
Last inspection
Annual · April 2, 1999 · 125 hours before
Departed
PWK
Airport
PWK · Palwaukee Municipal Arpt., runway 30, 4,397 × 50 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
34
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
119 total · 99 in this make and model · 22 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
20° at 17 knots, gusting 21
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
73 °F, dew point 37 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
PWK

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.