# NTSB FTW94LA018: Cessna 150L, N17056, Athens, TX, October 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1993, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Athens, TX
- Coordinates: 32.200279, -95.850318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2003&lon=-95.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA018

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - wall/barricade
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT SAID HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT ON RUNWAY 35 AND AFTER 20 SECONDS THE AIRPLANE TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE WIND WAS FROM 020 DEGREES AT 7 KNOTS. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PUT THE AILERONS INTO THE WIND AND APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND HIT A WALL.

## Factual narrative

On October 22, 1993, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N17056, sustained substantial damage near Athens, Texas, following a loss of control during the landing roll.  The student pilot did not receive injury.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional solo flight.

During interviews conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the investigator in charge with the operator, the controller, the flight instructor, and the student pilot, the following information was revealed.  The dual instructional flight departed Tyler, Texas, at approximately 0910 for a local flight to the Athens Municipal Airport, Athens, Texas.  Following a series of touch and go landings, the flight instructor exited the airplane and released the student pilot for his first solo flight.  The winds were reported from 020 degrees at 7 knots.

Approximately 20 seconds into the landing roll on runway 35 the airplane began to turn left.  The solo student applied right aileron and right rudder but the airplane exited to the left of the runway.  The right main gear struck a concrete wall of a drainage ditch resulting in its separation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17056](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17056-2018-10-05), registration cancelled 2018-10-05, S/N 15073610, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- 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: 15073610
- Airframe hours: 2688
- Engines: LYCOMING O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tyler School Of Aviation
- Registered owner: Ellis, Tony R., And Donald E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1993
- Airport: F44, Athens, runway 35, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19931022040649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931022040649A), Oct 22, 1993: Cessna 150L, Athens, TX, Substantial damage. On first solo flight lost control landing in a crosswind. Ran off runway into a ditch. Wind factor for first solo.

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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