# NTSB DEN03LA148: Cessna 150H, N23108, Moran, WY, September 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2003, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Moran, WY - Coordinates: 43.150001, -110.050003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1500&lon=-110.0500&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 4, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57828/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA148 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area which resulted in an encounter with the gopher hole during the touch-and-go. Factors contributing to the accident were the gopher hole, the abrupt pull up, the low airspeed, the inadvertent stall mush, the high vegetation, and the embankment. ## 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 - touch-and-go - performed - terrain condition - other (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - pull-up - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - low (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was performing a touch-and-go to a hayfield at his brother's ranch. The pilot said, "After rolling a short distance, I added full power and at the point of takeoff, hit a badger hole which jerked the aircraft." The pilot said he corrected to the left but was close to a low-lying area filled with willow bushes. The pilot said he lost airspeed and had the nose of the airplane up. He said he turned right to keep out of the higher willows. The pilot said the airplane mushed through the willows and struck the opposite bank of the low-lying area, causing substantial damage to both wings and separating the empennage from the aft fuselage. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2003, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N23108, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing on a hayfield, 3-1/2 miles east of Moran, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Jackson, Wyoming, and was en route to Moran, Wyoming. The pilot reported he was performing a touch-and-go to a hayfield at his brother's ranch. The pilot said, "After rolling a short distance, I added full power and at the point of takeoff, hit a badger hole which jerked the aircraft." The pilot said he corrected to the left but was close to a low-lying area filled with willow bushes. The pilot said he lost airspeed and had the nose of the airplane up. He said he turned right to keep out of the higher willows. The pilot said the airplane mushed through the willows and struck the opposite bank of the low-lying area. An examination of the airplane showed the left wing tip leading edge broken aft. The right wing was bent aft and up. The aft fuselage was broken forward of the empennage. The propeller showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N23108 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150H - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15068730 - Airframe hours: 4035.7 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Danny Lee Luton - Registered owner: Yellowstone Northern LCC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2002 - Departed: JAC, Jackson, WY - Destination: Moran, WY - Airport: Hanson Ranch (Private), runway 090, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 28, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 175 total, 40 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: JAC, 16 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 20030901020739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030901020739A), Sep 1, 2003: Cessna 150H, Moran, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot hit a hole in the hayfield on takeoff, resulting in loss of control. 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.