# NTSB ERA11CA363: Cessna 150L, N18735, Winter Haven, FL, June 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2011, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.062778, -81.753334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0628&lon=-81.7533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA363 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA363 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain control during the attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were conducting takeoffs and landings at the accident airport. While on approach for landing, the CFI initiated a go-around; the airplane then descended and impacted a grassy area off the side of the runway. A witness who observed the accident stated that the airplane was slow and approximately 100 feet left of the runway when the go-around was initiated. She stated that the engine sounded as though it was producing full power. She observed the airplane descend as the wing flaps were retracted before impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both left and right wings. A postaccident inspection revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot and certificated flight instructor (CFI) were conducting takeoffs and landings at the accident airport. While on approach for landing, the CFI initiated a go-around, the airplane descended, and impacted a grassy area off the side of the runway. A witness who observed the accident stated that the airplane was slow and approximately 100 feet left of the runway when the go-around was initiated. She stated that the engine sounded as though it was producing full power. She observed the airplane descend as the wing flaps were retracted before impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both left and right wings. Post accident inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as representatives from the airframe and engine manufacturers, revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18735](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18735-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 15074073, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15074073 - Airframe hours: 3216 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tailwheels, Etc. - Registered owner: Steve Chervenak - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 20, 2011 - Departed: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: GIF, Gilbert Airport, runway 29, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 350 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: GIF ## 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 20110626011479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110626011479A), Jun 26, 2011: Cessna 150L, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. While attempting a go around on runway 29 the aircraft flight path went off on approximately 45 degrees to the left and impacted the ground approximately 2500… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80901. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy Cessna Aircraft) (item 3, .PDF, 897 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20Cessna%20Aircraft)-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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. --- 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.