# NTSB ERA14CA065: Cessna 150D, N4478U, Portland, ME, November 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 30, 2013, 13:19 local (18:19 UTC) - Place: Portland, ME - Coordinates: 43.645557, -70.308609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6456&lon=-70.3086&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88517/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88517 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA065 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071810), [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 150D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4478U), registered now, S/N 15060478, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D - Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060478 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 5154 - Engines: Continental Motors, Inc. 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20131130024149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131130024149A), Nov 30, 2013: Cessna 150D, Portland, ME, Substantial damage. Pilot was cleared to land on runway 11 then opted to land on runway 18, upon landing aircraft left wing lifted up due to pilot reported wind gust. Right wing… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88517. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20%20-Master.PDF - FAA Personnel Statements (item 3, .PDF, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Personnel%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo 1 Digital Photograph Provided by FAA View Depicting the Structural Damage to the Right Wing (item 4, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Structural%20Damage%20to%20the%20Right%20Wing%20-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.