# NTSB ERA09CA274: Cessna 150K, N6213G, Waycross, GA, April 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2009, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Waycross, GA - Coordinates: 31.248888, -82.395553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2489&lon=-82.3956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - 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): 73746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA274 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during approach in gusty conditions. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's misunderstanding of the airspeed indicator. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/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 150K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the en route flight conditions of his solo cross-country flight were smooth and the arrival airport traffic pattern was normal. On final approach, a strong windshear pushed the nose of the airplane down when he was approximately 100 feet above ground level, and about 300 feet from the threshold of Runway 13. He reduced power and pulled back on the control yoke. The main landing gear impacted sandy soil prior to the runway surface, followed by the nose gear, which dug into the ground and caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane received substantial damage to both wing spars, the firewall, the left elevator, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. He stated that the winds were 120 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported 24 hours of total flight experience, of which 7 hours were solo flight. During a postaccident interview, the pilot discovered that he referenced the wrong scale on the airspeed indicator. The outer scale indicated airspeed in mph and the inner scale indicated airspeed in knots. He referenced the outer scale, labeled as mph, which he incorrectly thought was indicating knots. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that the en route flight conditions of his solo cross-country flight were smooth and the arrival airport traffic pattern was normal. On final approach, a strong windshear pushed the nose of the airplane down when he was approximately 100 feet above ground level, and about 300 feet from the threshold of runway 13. He reduced power and pulled back on the control yoke. The main landing gear impacted sandy soil prior to the runway surface, followed by the nose gear, which dug into the ground and caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane received substantial damage to both wing spars, the firewall, the left elevator, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. He stated the winds were 120 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported 24 hours of total flight experience; of which, 7 hours were solo flight. During a postaccident interview, the pilot discovered he referenced the wrong scale on the airspeed indicator. The outer scale indicated airspeed in mph and the inner scale indicated airspeed in knots. He referenced the outer scale, labeled as mph, which he incorrectly thought was indicating knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6213G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6213G-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 15071713, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K - Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071713 - Airframe hours: 4190 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2008 - Departed: LCQ, Lake City, FL - Destination: AYS, Waycross, GA - Airport: AYS, Waycross-Ware County Airport, runway 13, 3,258 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: AYS ## 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 20090427007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090427007729A), Apr 27, 2009: Cessna 150K, Waycross, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot on the second leg of a solo cross country flight landed short of kays runway 13 threshold practicing a flap up landing. The aircraft… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 11, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73746. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Lockheed Martin Weather Briefing (item 3, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Lockheed%20Martin%20Weather%20Briefing-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo - Damage to Airplane (Photo courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20to%20Airplane%20(Photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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. --- 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.