# NTSB ERA09CA243: Cessna 150, N3334J, Madison, MS, April 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 14, 2009, 20:20 local (Apr 15, 2009, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Madison, MS - Coordinates: 32.436389, -90.101943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4364&lon=-90.1019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73656/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was conducting night takeoffs and landings. During the first landing, he flared too high and landed hard. The airplane veered off the runway, hit a drainage ditch, and nosed over. The pilot did not report experiencing any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane during the landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the firewall and wings were substantially damaged. Winds about the time of the accident were light and variable. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was conducting, night takeoff and landings. During the first landing, he flared too high and landed hard. The airplane veered off the runway, hit a drainage ditch, and nosed over. The pilot did not report experiencing any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane during the landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the firewall and wings were substantially damaged. Winds about the time of the accident were light and variable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3334J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3334J-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 15066034, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066034 - Airframe hours: 6560 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2008, 56 hours before - Departed: MBO, Madison, MS - Destination: MBO, Madison, MS - Airport: MBO, Bruce Campbell Field, runway 17, 4,444 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 65 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 7 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 20090414016519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090414016519A), Apr 14, 2009: Cessna 150G, Madison, MS, Substantial damage. Pilot attempting night landing, flared high, bounced off the runway, landing in the grass beside the runway where the aircraft struck a drainage ditch causing… 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.