# NTSB CHI98LA065: Cessna 150M, N3820V, Sidney, NE, December 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 1997, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Sidney, NE - Coordinates: 41.129791, -102.970802 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1298&lon=-102.9708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA065 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind which resulted in a loss of directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the misunderstood radio communication, and the rough terrain which the airplane encountered. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - radio communications - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The student pilot called for a wind check and misunderstood the velocity for 7 knots when it was actually 17 knots. He reported that on takeoff rotation the nose and left wing went 'straight up.' He decided to abort the landing and to use another runway. Once on the ground the airplane veered off the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing contacted the terrain. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 1997, at 1300 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N3820V, operated by a student pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control during takeoff on runway 30 (6,601' x 100') at the Sidney Municipal Airport, Sidney, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The pilot reported that he called for a wind check prior to departure. He reported he was informed that the winds were "220 at seventeen", but at the time he mistook the velocity for "seven" instead of seventeen. The pilot stated, "When I rotated the left wing and the nose went straight up." He reported that he leveled the airplane and decided to abort the takeoff in order to use another runway. The pilot reported that upon touchdown the airplane began to skid from left to right off the runway. He reported the nose gear separated from the airplane, it tipped up and the right wing caught the terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3820V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3820V), registered now, S/N 15076633 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076633 - Airframe hours: 1800 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas K. Swim - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: SNY - Destination: STK, STERLING, CO - Airport: SNY, Sidney Municipal, runway 30, 6,601 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 14 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19971216039079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971216039079A), Dec 16, 1997: Cessna 150M, Sidney, NE, Substantial damage. Narrative: on December 16, 1997, at 1240 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N3820V, operated by a student pilot collided with the terrain following a loss… 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.