# NTSB CHI07CA087: Cessna 150, N7272S, LaCrosse, WI, March 9, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 9, 2007, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: LaCrosse, WI
- Coordinates: 43.878887, -91.256668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8789&lon=-91.2567&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA087

## Probable cause

The dual student's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and clearance from terrain and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.  A factor was the flight instructor's fatigue.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a snowbank during final approach to landing.  The certified flight instructor stated that the accident landing approach was normal until the airplane was on about 1/2 mile final where the student pilot extended the flaps to 40 degrees.  The instructor stated that he then "fell asleep for 20 to 25 seconds."  He stated that he opened his eyes just prior to the wheels hitting the snowbank.  He stated that he did not have enough time to react to prevent the impact.  The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop.  The flight instructor stated that his inability to remain awake was due to a lack of sleep the night before.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a snowbank during final approach to landing.  The certified flight instructor stated that the accident landing approach was normal until the airplane was on about 1/2 mile final where the student pilot extended the flaps to 40 degrees.  The instructor stated that he then "fell asleep for 20 to 25 seconds."  He stated that he opened his eyes just prior to the wheels hitting the snowbank.  He stated that he did not have enough time to react to prevent the impact.  The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop.  The flight instructor stated that his inability to remain awake was due to a lack of sleep the night before.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7272S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7272S), registered now, S/N 15067972, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15067972
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Colgan Air Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LSE, LaCrosse, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 60; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 16,100 total, 8,500 in this make and model, 14,700 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070309006229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070309006229A), Mar 9, 2007: Cessna 150H, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) An instructor pilot and his student were practicing touch and gos at La Crosse Municipal Airport (lse), on one attempt to land on runway 21, the aircraft…

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.