# NTSB ERA18LA202: Cessna 150, N1193Y, Matthews, NC, July 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2018, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Matthews, NC - Coordinates: 35.160278, -80.720558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1603&lon=-80.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 97906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97906/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97906 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA202 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a solo flight without an endorsement to do so and to perform an off-airport landing based on a perceived performance issue with the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of training and overall experience. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071806), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Training: initial instruct/training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515/cases.md?model=2071806), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2071806), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071806), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071806), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071806), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was conducting a local, solo flight. He reported that all ground operations were normal and that no water was found in the fuel during the preflight inspection. He took off with full tanks of fuel. About 40 minutes into the flight and about 1,800 ft mean sea level, he noticed that the airplane was "sluggish" and would not "maintain lift," but all engine indications were normal, and he noted no sputtering or hesitation. The pilot applied carburetor heat, and the engine speed dropped by about 300 rpm. Because the airplane continued to fly sluggishly, the pilot turned off the carburetor heat and then decided to conduct a forced landing in a grass field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane during the flight and that the engine could produce 2,750 rpm (the maximum-rated rpm) at full power. He added that the high ambient temperature of 100°F and the full fuel load may have contributed to the airplane's sluggishness. A review of the student's logbook revealed that he had received only 3.1 hours of dual instruction and 15 hours of solo flight experience and that he did not have an instructor's endorsement to fly solo. The student's lack of training and experience likely contributed to his perception that there was a performance problem with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2018, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150B, N1193Y, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Matthews, North Carolina. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 as a solo-instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated at Wilgrove Air Park (8A6), Charlotte, North Carolina at 1810.The pilot reported that the preflight procedures, taxi, takeoff, and departure were uneventful. The fuel tanks were full and no water was noted. About 40 minutes into the flight, about 1,800 feet above mean sea level, he noticed that the airplane was "sluggish" and would not "maintain lift." The engine indications were normal with no sputtering or hesitation noted. He applied carburetor heat and the engine speed dropped about 300 rpm. The airplane was still sluggish, so he turned off the carburetor heat. Since the airplane continued to fly sluggishly, the pilot decided to land the airplane in a grass field adjacent to a church. During the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over and came to rest, inverted. The pilot reported in a postaccident interview and a written statement that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane in flight, and the engine would produce 2,750 rpm at full power. He also reported that the high ambient temperature (100°F) and the full fuel tanks may have contributed to the airplane's sluggishness. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the wings and fuselage sustained structural damage. His examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot held a student pilot certificate and reported 3.1 hours of dual instruction and 15 hours of solo flight time. He did not have an instructor's endorsement to operate the airplane in solo flight. The FAA inspector reviewed his pilot logbook and reported that there were "severe training deficiencies." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1193Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1193Y-2019-07-09), registration cancelled 2019-07-09, S/N 15059593, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 150B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150b) (registry code 2071806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059593 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 6697 - Engines: Continental O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2018, 15 hours before - Departed: 8A6, Charlotte, NC - Destination: 8A6, Charlotte, NC - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 36; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: JQF, 13 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 20180726018009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180726018009A), Jul 26, 2018: Cessna 150B, Matthews, NC, Substantial damage. 7-27-2018 Investigated accident N1193Y Cessna 150B sn#15059593. The aircraft landed in a church yard at [privacy data omitted]. Mathews NC The accident… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97906. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.