# NTSB ERA09CA270: Cessna 150G, N2792S, Kingston, NY, April 24, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 24, 2009, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Kingston, NY
- Coordinates: 41.985279, -73.964164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9853&lon=-73.9642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73737/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73737
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA270

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

On final approach to Runway 15, approximately 200 feet prior to the runway, the pilot determined that the airplane was "slightly high," and reduced power to aid in the descent. The pilot stated that the airplane then descended "too low," and although he added full power and applied back pressure on the yoke, the tail of the airplane contacted trees. The pilot was subsequently unable to control the airplane, which made a descending right turn. The airplane struck a fence during the descent, and came to rest on grass to the right of the threshold of Runway 15. The pilot stated that after he exited the airplane, he observed a "1 inch diameter branch wedged into the left elevator." According to the pilot, if he had kept his speed and altitude "within safer margins" the accident would not have occurred. The pilot had 72 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane, and had flown 1 hour in the previous 30 days. The weather reported at the accident airport, 20 minutes after the accident, included winds from 190 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 13 knots. The pilot described the winds as being "light" and "intermittent" with "occasional gusts." Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing, and no preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted.

## Factual narrative

On final approach to runway 15, approximately 200 feet prior to the runway, the pilot determined that the airplane was "slightly high," and reduced power to aid in the descent. The pilot stated that the airplane then descended "too low," and although he added full power and applied back pressure on the yoke, the tail of the airplane contacted trees. The pilot was subsequently unable to control the airplane, which made a descending right turn. The airplane struck a fence during the descent, and came to rest on grass to the right of the threshold of runway 15. The pilot stated that after he exited the airplane, he observed a "1 inch diameter branch wedged into the left elevator." According to the pilot, if he had kept his speed and altitude "within safer margins" the accident would not have occurred. The pilot had 72 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane, and had flown 1 hour in the previous 30 days. The weather reported at the accident airport, 20 minutes after the accident, included winds from 190 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 13 knots. The pilot described the winds as being "light" and "intermittent" with "occasional gusts." Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing, and no mechanical anomalies were noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2792S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2792S-2010-07-08), registration cancelled 2010-07-08, S/N 15066692, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- 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: 15066692
- Airframe hours: 3267
- Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2009
- Departed: 20N, Kingston, NY
- Destination: 20N, Kingston, NY
- Airport: 20N, Kingston-Ulster Airport, runway 15, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 23, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 456 total, 72 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: 20N

## 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 20090424048819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090424048819A), Apr 24, 2009: Cessna 150G, Kingston, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot misjudged altitude on final approach, and clipped some trees ,which resulted in loss- of- control .the airplane went through a vinyl fence near the end…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73737. 728 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 659 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-Master.PDF
- FAA Interview (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview-Redacted.PDF

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.

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