# NTSB CHI97LA023: Cessna 150, N3008J, Minneapolis, KS, November 2, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1996, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, KS
- Coordinates: 39.120513, -97.700691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1205&lon=-97.7007&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 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA023

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain on which to land the airplane.  A factor relating with the accident was: the large rock, which the airplane contacted.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The student pilot was landing the airplane on his farm in an area which he normally did not use for takeoffs and landing. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted a one foot high, two foot wide rock, which resulted in the nose gear shearing from the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On November 2, 1996, at 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 150, N3008J, operated by a student pilot nosed over while landing at a private field near Minneapolis, Kansas.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The student pilot and the one passenger on board were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight originated from Derby, Kansas, at 1000 cst.

The student pilot reported that while landing on his farm the nose gear struck a rock which was one foot high and two feet wide.  He reported that this sheared the nose gear off.  The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that he landed in a location which he normally did not use for takeoffs and landings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3008J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3008J-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 15061108, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061108
- Airframe hours: 2815
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert E. Postlethwaite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1996, 26 hours before
- Departed: K50, DERBY, KS
- Destination: PVT
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLN, 22 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 19961102034689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961102034689A), Nov 2, 1996: Cessna 150E, Minneapolis, KS, Substantial damage. Struck a rock landing on his farm. Sheared off nose gear 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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