# NTSB DEN03LA044: Cessna 150M, N714NF, Gateway, CO, March 3, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 2003, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Gateway, CO - Coordinates: 38.683334, -108.983329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6833&lon=-108.9833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 56606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56606/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA044 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the snow-covered runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot decided to land on an unimproved dirt strip. The approach was to the south and uphill. There was "light snow on the runway with vegetation showing on both sides of the runway." The flaps were extended an indeterminate amount and power was reduced. The stall warning horn sounded as the airplane settled to the runway. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear. As the nose gear settled to the runway, "the left main gear hit a patch of snow or mud and grabbed." Right rudder and aileron control inputs were applied in an attempt to maintain directional control. The right main landing gear "hit some snow" and the airplane tipped up on its left wingtip and propeller spinner before nosing over. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 2003, approximately 1100 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N714NF, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at the Delores Point Airstrip, Gateway, Colorado. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Mack, Colorado, approximately 1030. The following is based on a telephone conversation with the pilot and the accident report he submitted. The approach was to the south, landing uphill. There was "light snow on the runway with vegetation showing on both sides of the runway." The flaps were extended an indeterminate amount and power was reduced. The stall warning horn sounded as the airplane settled to the runway. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear. As the nose gear settled to the runway, "the left main gear hit a patch of snow or mud and grabbed." Right rudder and aileron ontrol inputs were applied in an attempt to maintain directional control. The right main landing gear "hit some snow" and the airplane tipped up on its left wingtip and propeller spinner before nosing over. According to the pilot, the left wing rear spar was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714NF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N714NF), registered now, S/N 15079298, built 1977 (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: 150-79298 - Airframe hours: 1501 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth F. Blumenthal - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: C07, Mack, CO - Destination: NONE, Gateway, CO - Airport: NONE, Delores Point, runway 14, 6,000 × 100 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 30, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,653 total, 732 in this make and model, 1,591 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 55 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 20030303002119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030303002119A), Mar 3, 2003: Cessna 150M, Gateway, CO, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 3, 2003, approximately 1100 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N714NF, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage… 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.