# NTSB FTW02LA090: Cessna 150, N51060, Melbourne, AR, March 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2002, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Melbourne, AR - Coordinates: 36.070556, -91.82917 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0706&lon=-91.8292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54316/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54316 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA090 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control as a result of becoming incapacitated due to a stroke while taxiing for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - incapacitation(stroke), pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The private pilot was back taxiing on the runway for takeoff when he became incapacitated and lost control of the airplane. The airplane departed the left side of the runway at a 20 angle, proceeded past the end of the runway, and down an embankment (approximately 600 feet). The airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Subsequently, the pilot underwent medical treatment and was diagnosed as having had a stroke. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2002, at 1330 central standard time, a Cessna 150 single-engine airplane, N51060, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Melbourne Municipal-John E. Miller Field Airport, Melbourne, Arkansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and a witness, the pilot was back taxiing on runway 03 for a runway 21 departure. Prior to reaching the end the runway, the pilot became incapacitated. The airplane veered to the left and exited the runway at a 20 degree angle. The airplane continued past the end of the runway and down an embankment (approximately 600 feet), before flipping over and coming to rest in an inverted position. Subsequently, the pilot underwent medical treatment and was diagnosed as having had a stroke. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the nose gear was bent aft, one propeller blade was bent, the rudder substained structural damage, and the left wing tip was damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51060](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51060), registered now, S/N 15069737 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069737 - Airframe hours: 4457 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2002, 51 hours before - Departed: 42A, Melbourne, AR - Destination: BVX, Batesville, AR - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 42A, Melbourne Municipal, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 18, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 2,022 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,972 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 10 - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F ## 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 20020306004409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020306004409A), Mar 6, 2002: Cessna 150J, Melbourne, AR, No damage. (-23) On March 6, 2002 at approximately 14:30 local time, the pilot in command of N51060, a Cessna 150 began the taxi phase of flight. Upon entering runway 3,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54316. 394 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 352 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40163460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.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.