# NTSB ERA09CA321: Cessna 150M, N7614U, Zebulon, NC, May 30, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2009, 09:11 local (13:11 UTC) - Place: Zebulon, NC - Coordinates: 35.861946, -78.348609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8619&lon=-78.3486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73962/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73962 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA321 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071830), [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 150M, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071830), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during landing he “experienced a prodigious bounce” and lost control. During the landing sequence the airplane landed hard, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear, damage to the fuselage, propeller, and wing. He reported the wind as calm at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during landing, he “experienced a prodigious bounce” and lost control. During the landing sequence the airplane landed hard, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear, damage to the fuselage, propeller, and wing. He reported the wind as calm at the time of the accident. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7614U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7614U-2010-08-24), registration cancelled 2010-08-24, S/N 15077768, 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: 15077768 - Airframe hours: 4044 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Abbott George F - Registered owner: Abbott George F - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2008 - Departed: NC81, Apex, NC - Destination: 51NC, Zebulon, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 51NC, Field of Dreams Airport, runway 28, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 3,730 total, 700 in this make and model, 3,955 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KRDU, 21 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 20090530007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090530007929A), May 30, 2009: Cessna 150M, Zebulon, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted], the pilot of aircraft N7614U, attempted to land at Field Of Dreams Airport in Zebulon, north carolinga. [privacy data omitted]… ## Other investigations on N7614U (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC81FHM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FHM16), Sep 20, 1981: Cessna 150M (N7614U), Caldwell, NJ, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73962. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: N7614U, Left Side (FAA Digital Photo). (item 3, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315592&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20N7614U,%20Left%20Side%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo).-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.