# NTSB ERA23LA348: Cessna 150, N8474J, Pink Hill, NC, August 23, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 23, 2023, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Pink Hill, NC
- Coordinates: 35.07575, -77.696028
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0757&lon=-77.6960&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192935/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192935
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA348

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for prevailing wind conditions during the landing approach, which resulted in the airplane contacting the ground short of the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/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: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot and mechanic were performing at flight following the completion of an annual inspection. After takeoff the pilot flew in the airport traffic pattern, departed the area, then elected to return. While on final approach to land, when the airplane was about 30 ft from the runway threshold, the pilot stated that the airplane was struck by a downdraft. He reported briefly hearing the stall warning horn but did not recall if he applied power and stated he likely froze and did not respond. The airplane struck the ground short of the runway in a bean field, collided with a ditch, then nosed over coming to rest inverted on the runway. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8474J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8474J), registered now, S/N 15066374 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (G)
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066374
- Year built: 1967
- Airframe hours: 5369
- Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2023
- Airport: NONE, Howard Field, runway 08, 2,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review July 20, 1993; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 160 total, 160 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KDPL, 15 nm away
- METAR: KDPL 232025Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM CLR 30/12 A3004 RMK AO2

## 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 20230823012149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230823012149A), Aug 23, 2023: Cessna 150G, Pink Hill, NC, Substantial damage. While conducting a maintenance test flight the pilot in command stated: "as we approached the west end of the field at about tree top level, we encountered a…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192935. 23.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16362707&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Form_11%20Pgs_Recd%2011%202%202023_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of NTSB conversation (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16361880&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Steven%20G%20Howard%2011%202%202023%20v01_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of FAA conversation (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16362867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20FAA%20Conversation_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot initial statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16362717&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Initial%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Passenger statement (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 908 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16362756&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N8474J%20PAX%20STATEMENT_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Excerpts from pilot logbook (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16375493&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpts%20Fm%20Pilot%20Logbook-2%20Pgs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statements (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16374686&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-4%20Pgs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 8, PDF, 5 pages, 5 photos, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16373590&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16348333&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.