# NTSB ERA11CA227: Cessna 150A, N7225X, Factoryville, PA, April 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2011, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Factoryville, PA - Coordinates: 41.586944, -75.753608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5869&lon=-75.7536&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78769 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78769/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78769 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA227 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare during the gusty crosswind landing, which resulted in a hard landing. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 150A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he approached runway 4 once and performed a go-around due to the wind conditions. The second approach to the runway was higher than usual; therefore, the pilot increased the rate of descent in order to land in the crosswind and gusting wind conditions. The airplane impacted the runway and bounced, veered off the side of the runway, and came to rest in the reverse direction of travel. The accident sequence resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The wind reported at an airport 15 miles south of the accident location, about the time of the accident, was from 330 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he approached runway 4 once and performed a go-around due to the wind conditions. The second approach to the runway was higher than usual; therefore, the pilot increased the rate of descent in order to land in the crosswind and gusting conditions. The airplane impacted the runway and bounced, then veered off the side of the runway, and came to rest in the reverse direction of travel. The accident sequence resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at an airport 15 miles south of the accident location, about the time of the accident, were from 330 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7225X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7225X-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 15059325, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150A - Registry model: [Cessna 150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150a) (registry code 2071804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059325 - Airframe hours: 2195 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cessna N7225X LLC - Registered owner: Cessna N7225X LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2010 - Departed: AVP, Scranton, PA - Destination: 9N3, Factoryville, PA - Airport: 9N3, Seamans Field, runway 04, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 94 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 15 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 20110402004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110402004739A), Apr 2, 2011: Cessna 150A, Factoryville, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot approached runway 4 at Seamans Airport but went around because of wind. On second attempt he came in too high and lowered the nose to dive at the runway.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78769. 800 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Memorandum%20of%20Record-Master.PDF - AVP Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=AVP%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346412&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-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.