# NTSB ERA20CA156: Cessna 150, N150LF, Hamburg, NY, April 20, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2020, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Hamburg, NY - Coordinates: 42.700832, -78.914718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7008&lon=-78.9147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101189 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101189/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101189 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over. ## 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 150L, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after completing the landing roll on a grassy area adjacent to an asphalt runway, the main landing gear dug into an area of soft grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, upon completion of the landing roll on a grass area adjacent to an asphalt runway, the main landing gear dug into an area of soft grass and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N150LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N150LF-2021-08-07), registration cancelled 2021-08-07, S/N 15073579, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (L) - 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: 15073579 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 5640 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: KCG Aviation Llc - Registered owner: KCG Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2019 - Departed: SLK, Saranac Lake, NY - Destination: 4G2, Hamburg, NY - Airport: 4G2, Hamburg Inc, runway 01, 2,465 × 30 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 448 total, 261 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 46.7 in the last 90 days, 6.4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: BUF, 16 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 20200420001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200420001129A), Apr 20, 2020: Cessna 150L, Hamburg, NY, Substantial damage. Airmen did a low pass over Hamburg Airport to see conditions of grass strip. Airmen decided it was safe to land. Airmen landed on grass strip and wheels sunk… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101189. 2.7 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=40484431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of phone conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.