# NTSB ERA12CA390: Cessna 150H, N6963S, Alabaster, AL, June 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2012, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Alabaster, AL - Coordinates: 33.177776, -86.783058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1778&lon=-86.7831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA390 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83935/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83935 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA390 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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 150H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071818), [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 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [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 · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071818), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was about to touch down on runway 16, when a gust of wind pushed the airplane toward trees along the right side of the runway. The pilot added power and tried, unsuccessfully, to avoid the trees. Two witnesses observed the airplane in a nose-high attitude over the runway as it drifted right into trees. One of the witnesses said that about 30 minutes before the accident the wind was from 110 degrees at 9 knots and was increasing in velocity. The recorded wind at the airport, about 30 minutes after the accident, was from 140 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 24 knots. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; substantial damage was observed on the right wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he flew a traffic pattern for landing on runway 16, a 5,000-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. As the airplane was about to touch down, a gust of wind pushed it toward the right side of the runway. The pilot added power and attempted to correct; however, the airplane drifted off the right side of the runway and impacted a tree. Two witnesses observed the airplane in a nose-high attitude over the runway as it drifted right into trees. One of the witnesses estimated the wind from 110 degrees at 9 knots and increasing. The recorded wind at the airport, about 30 minutes after the accident, was from 140 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 24 knots. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions and substantial damaged was observed on the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6963S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6963S-2017-10-24), registration cancelled 2017-10-24, S/N 15067663, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067663 - Airframe hours: 4075 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Reid Don W - Registered owner: Reid Don W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2012, 9 hours before - Departed: NONE, Warrior, AL - Destination: EET, Alabaster, AL - Airport: EET, Shelby County, runway 16, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 253 total, 35 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 14 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: EET ## 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 20120609011659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120609011659A), Jun 9, 2012: Cessna 150H, Shelby, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that the aircraft engine was running rough when he attempted a go-around. A gust of wind caused him to veer off the runway and hit a tree with the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83935. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 559 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373008&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373005&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373006&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph 1: View of Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of Shelby Country Sheriff Office) (item 5, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20%20View%20of%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Shelby%20Country%20Sheriff%20Office)-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.