# NTSB ERA15CA101: Cessna 150L, N5443Q, Stow, MA, January 15, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 15, 2015, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Stow, MA - Coordinates: 42.460556, -71.517776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4606&lon=-71.5178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90603 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90603/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90603 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA101 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed remedial action in response to the student pilot's improper go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack, experiencing an aerodynamic stall, and impacting a parked airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071826), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor (CFI) stated that the student pilot flared the airplane too high while on approach for landing, and he instructed her to conduct a go-around. The student responded by applying engine power, but did not lower the airplane's nose. The CFI assumed control of the airplane "too late," and the airplane subsequently stalled and impacted an unoccupied airplane parked near the runway, resulting in substantial damage. The CFI reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor (CFI) stated that the student pilot flared the airplane too high while on approach for landing, and he instructed her to conduct a go-around. The student responded by applying engine power, but did not lower the airplane's nose. The CFI assumed control of the airplane "too late," and the airplane subsequently stalled and impacted an unoccupied airplane parked near the runway, resulting in substantial damage. The CFI reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5443Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5443Q-2018-05-24), registration cancelled 2018-05-24, S/N 15073343, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L (M) - 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: 15073343 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 8776.8 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aptis Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Aptis Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2014 - Departed: 6B6, Stow, MA - Destination: 6B6, Stow, MA - Airport: 6B6, Minuteman Airfield, runway 3, 2,770 × 48 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 43; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 20 total, 13 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 8.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 160 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KFIT, 12 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 20150115000302A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150115000302A), Jan 15, 2015: Cessna 150L, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. CFI and student had been practicing pattern work, and CFI was considering soloing the student. They made a full stop landing at 6B6 and fueled the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90603. 16.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Accident Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 7.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Accident%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Propeller (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Propeller%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.