# NTSB DEN99LA076: Cessna 150M, N6128K, Maybell, CO, May 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1999, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Maybell, CO - Coordinates: 40.670436, -108.509994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6704&lon=-108.5100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46297/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA076 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall while maneuvering. Factors were the wind gusts weather conditions, and the high density altitude weather conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot said he was attempting to signal his friends on the ground. He reported that as he 'turned from east to south, it suddenly got very quiet, and the airspeed went to nothing.' He further reported that the airplane became 'very sluggish and mushy to handle, and he could hear the ailerons banging stop to stop.' The pilot said that the stall horn came on and he pushed the airplane's nose down to gain airspeed. The airplane impacted a plowed field, crushing the nose wheel landing gear aft, and coming to rest in an inverted position. The pilot reported that the wind was approximately 250 degrees at 10 knots with gusts estimated 25 to 30 knots. The density altitude was calculated to be 8,600 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1999, approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N6128K, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain near Maybell, Colorado. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned/operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which originated approximately 2 hours before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was attempting to signal his friends on the ground to drive to the airstrip to pick up him and his passenger. He reported that as he "turned from east to south, it suddenly got very quiet and the airspeed went to nothing." He further reported that the airplane became "very sluggish and mushy to handle, and he could hear the ailerons banging stop to stop." The pilot said that the stall horn came on and he pushed the airplane's nose down to gain airspeed. The airplane impacted a plowed field, crushing the nose wheel landing gear aft, and coming to rest in an inverted position. The pilot reported that the wind was approximately 250 degrees at 10 knots with gusts estimated 25 to 30 knots. The density altitude was calculated to be 8,600 feet above mean sea level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6128K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6128K-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 15077537, built 1975 (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: 1507737 - Airframe hours: 2900 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W. Gotchey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1999, 6 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 603 total, 360 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CAG, 37 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 19990508004799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990508004799A), May 8, 1999: Cessna 150M, Maybell, CO, Substantial damage. Acft was on approach when the stall light came on and the acft dropped 20-30 feet, the acft subsequently landed in a field and flipped over, other… 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.