# NTSB FTW94LA160: Cessna 150M, N150CL, Spring, TX, May 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1994, 15:36 local (20:36 UTC) - Place: Spring, TX - Coordinates: 30.040613, -95.5307 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0406&lon=-95.5307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19056/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA160 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM THE TOUCH AND GO LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE INADVERTENT PORPOISE AND THE SOFT TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR A TOUCH-AND-GO, THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A SHORT FIELD LANDING. AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, THE PILOT MOVED THE FLAP SELECTOR TO THE 'UP' POSITION, ADDED POWER, AND SET THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO THE 'COLD' POSITION. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AND STARTED TO 'PORPOISE'. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, TRAVELED THROUGH THE GRASS, CROSSED A TAXIWAY, AND CAME TO REST IN WET GRASSY TERRAIN 1,000 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE FIREWALL, LEFT WING SPAR, AND REAR INNER SPAR WERE DAMAGED. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1994, at 1536 central standard time, a Cessna 150M, N150CL, was substantially damaged during landing at Spring, Texas. The student pilot did not receive injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo instructional flight. The pilot stated that he was cleared for touch and go on runway 35R at David Wayne Hooks Airport, Spring, Texas. During the right hand pattern turn from base to final, the altitude of the airplane was 800 feet MSL. The pilot decided to make a short field landing. According to his enclosed statement, after touchdown, the pilot "went flaps up, power on, carb heat in. Immediately the plane was airborne, in order to try to stabilize the plane I tried to 'feed out' the flaps slowly. The plane started to porpoise." The pilot was able to stabilize the porpoise but the plane drifted off the runway into soft ground. The operator and airplane owner reported the airplane departed the left side of runway 35R. Physical evidence indicated the airplane continued through the grass, crossed a taxiway, and came to rest in wet grassy terrain 1,000 feet from the runway. The airplane firewall, left wing spar, and rear inner spar were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N150CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N150CL-2023-01-03), registration cancelled 2023-01-03, S/N 15078186 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078186 - Airframe hours: 4409 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: National Aviation Services - Registered owner: Mock, Joseph R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Limited (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1994, 20 hours before - Departed: DWH - Destination: DWH - Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks, runway 35R, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 50 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DWH ## 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 19940517011189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940517011189A), May 17, 1994: Cessna 150L, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Porpoised on landing. Veered of runway into soft ground. Damaged wing and firewall. Strong crosswind. 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.