# NTSB ERA24LA019: Cessna 150, N7981E, Atlanta, GA, October 25, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 25, 2023, 09:57 local (13:57 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.308787, -84.766841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3088&lon=-84.7668&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: 2 uninjured
- 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): 193301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193301/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193301
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA019

## Probable cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action and the student pilot’s failure to relinquish the flight controls as directed by the flight instructor, resulting in a loss of control and nose over.

## Findings

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

- [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor and the student pilot were landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane at the destination airport. The flight instructor described that the student’s wheel landing was at the proper speed and aligned with the runway, but with a slight left drift. The student applied right rudder along with (inadvertent) right brake pressure. The flight instructor announced “I have the aircraft” but felt significant resistance on the flight controls. He repeated the call as the airplane approached the right side of the runway. As the airplane progressed toward the grass off the side of the runway, the flight instructor again verbalized that he was trying to take control of the airplane as the student pilot applied both brakes. The airplane then abruptly stopped and nosed over. The airplane’s vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged during the accident. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7981E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7981E-2025-01-04), registration cancelled 2025-01-04, S/N 17781, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (UNDESIGNATED SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17781
- Year built: 1959
- Airframe hours: 4589
- Engines: Continental O-200-A2 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2023, 6 hours before
- Departed: 1GA2, Luthersville, GA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CCO, Newnan Coweta County Airport, runway 33, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 16,760 total, 250 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observed at: KCCO, 0.22 nm away
- METAR: KCCO 251355Z AUTO 10005KT 10SM SCT042 OVC050 14/09 A3039 RMK AO2 T01350090

## Other investigations on N7981E (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX70D0119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0119), Aug 23, 1969: Cessna 150 (N7981E), San Brnrdno, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193301. 11.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 10.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16339990&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Recd%2010%2027%202023_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of NTSB conversation (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16340000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - initial statement from student (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16457502&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Memo%20For%20Record%20-%20Student%20Initial%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photograph (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458319&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photograph-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16340627&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Exctd%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_ERA24LA019_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.

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