ERA14CA065

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150D · Portland, ME · November 30, 2013

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
November 30, 2013, 13:19 local (18:19 UTC)
Place
Portland, ME
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N4478UCessna 150D
Defining event
Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 1, 2014
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Eastern Region Aviation
Parties
FAA/FSDO
FAA report
20131130024149A
Case key
88517

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 150D: 4 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna 150D: 7 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The purpose of the flight was to fly to an airport located about 32 miles north-northeast of the departure airport. The automated terminal information service (ATIS) information "Zulu" in effect at the time of departure indicated in part that the wind was variable at 4 knots, and landing and departing runway was 11. Shortly after departure using runway 11, he elected to return. While on the downwind leg for runway 11, he was advised by the controller that runway 18 was available and was given the wind from 140 degrees at 8 knots. He agreed to runway 18, and was cleared to land on that runway. On final approach in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he maintained a left wing low attitude to compensate for the crosswind, 20 degrees of flaps extended, and 60 miles-per-hour. During the flare when the airplane was three feet above ground level, the left wing lifted abruptly and he applied left aileron but the airplane yawed to the left. The right wing contacted the runway, and the airplane bounced but was facing the opposite direction. He secured the airplane, did a walk around inspection, and then taxied to the ramp. He further stated there was no mechanical failure of malfunction. A surface weather observation at the accident airport at 1334, or about 4 minutes after the accident indicates the wind was from 070 degrees at 6 knots; no gusts were reported.

Factual narrative

The purpose of the flight was to fly to an airport located about 32 miles north-northeast of the departure airport. The automated terminal information service (ATIS) information "Zulu" in effect at the time of departure indicated in part that the wind was variable at 4 knots, and landing and departing runway was 11. Shortly after departure using runway 11, he elected to return. While on the downwind leg for runway 11, he was advised by the controller that runway 18 was available and was given the wind from 140 degrees at 8 knots. He agreed to runway 18, and was cleared to land on that runway. On final approach in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he maintained a left wing low attitude to compensate for the crosswind, 20 degrees of flaps extended, and 60 miles-per-hour. During the flare when the airplane was three feet above ground level, the left wing lifted abruptly and he applied left aileron but the airplane yawed to the left. The right wing contacted the runway, and the airplane bounced but was facing the opposite direction. He secured the airplane, did a walk around inspection, and then taxied to the ramp. He further stated there was no mechanical failure of malfunction.A surface weather observation at the accident airport at 1334, or about 4 minutes after the accident indicates the wind was from 070 degrees at 6 knots; no gusts were reported.

Aircraft

Registration
N4478U
Reported as
Cessna 150D
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15060478
Built
1964
Airframe hours
5,154
Engine
Continental Motors 0-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Andrews Willard R
Registered owner
Andrews Willard R
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · November 9, 2013 · 6 hours before
Departed
PWM · Portland, ME
Destination
PWM · Portland, ME
Airport
PWM · Portland International Jetport, runway 18, 6,100 × 150 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Stall warning system

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
47
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
106 total · 106 in this make and model · 60 as pilot in command · 11 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
28 °F, dew point 12 °F
Altimeter
30.68 inHg
Icing
Unknown
Turbulence
Unknown
Observed at
PWM

Docket · 4

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.5 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.