# NTSB ERA11CA387: Cessna 150C, N1953Z, Weirsdale, FL, July 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2011, 17:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Weirsdale, FL - Coordinates: 28.961944, -81.758056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9619&lon=-81.7581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81030 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81030/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81030 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA387 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the stopped trailer while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was taxiing to the runway for takeoff. The airport was a private, uncontrolled fly-in community and the roads were designated taxiways. The pilot observed a truck and trailer coming towards him and noted that the driver had pulled to the side to let him pass. The pilot looked inside the cockpit to check his power setting, as the taxiway was on an upslope. He thought he had adequate clearance from the trailer; however, the left wing struck the top of the trailer as he passed, pulling the airplane to the left. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was taxiing to the runway for takeoff. The airport was a private, uncontrolled fly-in community and the roads were designated taxiways. The pilot observed a truck and trailer coming towards him, and noted that the driver had pulled to the side to let him pass. The pilot looked inside the cockpit to check his power setting, as the taxiway was on an upslope. He thought he had adequate clearance from the trailer; however, the left wing struck the top of the trailer as he passed, pulling the airplane to the left. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the airplane and reported structural damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1953Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1953Z), registered now, S/N 15059753, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150C - Registry model: [Cessna 150C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150c) (registry code 2071808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059753 - Airframe hours: 3205 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ringelman Roger L - Registered owner: Ringelman Roger L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: 97FL, Weirsdale, FL - Destination: 97FL, Weirsdale, FL - Airport: 97FL, Love Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 9,028 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6,887 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: VVG, 2 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 20110702011949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110702011949A), Jul 2, 2011: Cessna 150C, Weirsdale, FL, Substantial damage. Weirsdale, Florida (lake county): N1953Z, Cessna, CE-150 was taxing to runway at Love Field Airport, a private uncontrolled fly-in community, when aircraft's… ## Other investigations on N1953Z (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 NYC68F0272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0272), Oct 7, 1967: Cessna 150 (N1953Z), Ballston Spa, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81030. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 830 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Written Statement to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.