# NTSB ERA24LA347: Cessna 150, N6495G, Gainesville, FL, August 16, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 16, 2024, 11:44 local (15:44 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, FL - Coordinates: 29.689047, -82.272581 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6890&lon=-82.2726&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - 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): 194941 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194941/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA347 ## Probable cause The separation of a nose landing gear axle retaining nut and the subsequent the failure of the nose landing gear during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and flight instructor described that during the landing roll the student pilot smelled a “burnt” smell, and that as the airplane continued to slow, drifted to the left. The student applied right rudder, but the airplane did not respond. He then applied the brakes and the nose landing gear immediately collapsed. The lower forward portion of the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident and provided photos of his findings that were examined in detail. The examinations revealed that the nose landing gear fork was separated from the upper portion of the nose landing gear assembly. Additionally, one of the nuts securing the nose landing gear’s axle was missing, while the threads on the axle were intact. The opposite end of the axle retained its nut, which was still secured with a cotter pin. The nose landing gear fork fracture surfaces exhibited fracture features consistent with overstress, and signatures consistent with the nosewheel rubbing against it before the fracture occurred. Based on this information, it is likely that one of the nuts securing the nosewheel axle was not properly secured and separated from the axle. This allowed the axle to displace laterally, resulting in the nosewheel making contact with the fork, and its subsequent failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6495G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6495G-2026-02-07), registration cancelled 2026-02-07, S/N 15071995, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071995 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 5391 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 4, 2024, 61 hours before - Departed: ISM, Kissimeee, FL - Destination: GNV, Gainesville, FL - Airport: GNV, Gainesville Rgnl, runway 7, 4,158 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2024; seat: right; restraint: none; flight hours: 400 total, 300 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; medical: class 2; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 120 total, 31 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: GNV - METAR: KGNV 161554Z 04010KT 10SM CLR 30/20 A3010 RMK AO2 T03000200 ## 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 20240816009859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240816009859A), Aug 16, 2024: Cessna 150K, Gainesville, FL, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] VFR inbound from the south for full stop runway 7. After landing, local control noticed the aircraft in an unusual nose down position… ## Other investigations on N6495G (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 FTW71FPJ34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FPJ34), Mar 25, 1971: Cessna 150K (N6495G), Bethany, OK, substantial damage 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.