# NTSB CHI98LA069: Cessna 150L, N18031, Litchfield, MN, December 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 1997, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Litchfield, MN - Coordinates: 45.10942, -94.52024 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1094&lon=-94.5202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10811 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10811/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA069 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the attempted go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind condition, and the proximity of trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot initiated a landing on runway 13 at Litchfield, Minnesota. He said the airplane '...came down on [the] runway, bounced once, and drifted off to the left of the runway into trees...' during an attempt to go around. After hitting the trees, the airplane landed on a frozen lake. The pilot stated he applied full power during the attempted go-around. The pilot reported the winds were from the west at 8 knots. No anomalies were found with the aircraft or engine during an investigation. ## Factual narrative On December 14, 1997, at 1140 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 150L, N18031, was destroyed while attempting a go-around after a bounced landing on runway 13 at Litchfield Airport, Litchfield, Minnesota. The student pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed Winsted, Minnesota, at approximately 1110 cst. The pilot reported that he departed Winsted Airport for a direct flight to Litchfield. He said he began the landing procedure for runway 13. The pilot said he "...came down on [the] runway, bounced once and drifted off to the left of the runway into trees..." on the go-around attempt. After hitting the trees the airplane landed on a frozen lake. The pilot reported the winds were out of the west at 8 knots. In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that he "...didn't have enough airspeed..." to climb out. The pilot also stated he applied full power. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector said there were no anomalies with the aircraft or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18031](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18031-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 15073746, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073746 - Airframe hours: 6064 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lucky Mindy Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 10D, WINSTED, MN - Destination: LJF - Airport: LJF, Litchfield Municipal, runway 13, 4,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LJF ## 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 19971214040629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971214040629A), Dec 14, 1997: Cessna 150M, Litchfield, MN, Substantial damage. Narrative: on landing, pilot bounced aircraft, drifted left hitting two trees and then landed on a frozen pond. Bounced once and came to rest 30 feet later.… 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.