# NTSB FTW94LA286: Cessna 150M, N66322, Mesquite, TX, September 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1994, 19:16 local (Sep 2, 1994, 00:16 UTC)
- Place: Mesquite, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729816, -96.55912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7298&lon=-96.5591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA286

## Probable cause

THE UNFAVORABLE GUSTING WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A SERIES OF TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS THE STUDENT PILOT OBSERVED A STORM APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH SO HE ELECTED TO MAKE THE NEXT APPROACH TO A FULL STOP. DURING FINAL APPROACH THE STUDENT PILOT HAD TROUBLE MAINTAINING CONTROL WHEN THE WIND 'SUDDENLY SHIFTED AND THE AIRPLANE REACTED VIOLENTLY TO THE TURBULENCE.' THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND BUT THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT/WITNESS CONFIRMED THE SUDDEN SHIFT IN THE WIND. THE APPROACHING STORM AND CHANGE IN WIND CONDITIONS WERE UNFORCASTED.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 1994, at 1916 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N66322, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at Mesquite, Texas.  The solo student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The pilot was practicing touch and go landings when he observed a storm approaching from the south.  He decided to make his next  approach to a full stop.  He described his final approach as "normal until the wind shifted suddenly" and "the plane reacted violently to the turbulence."  The pilot said he was able to land but "the wind blew me off the runway" and the airplane nosed over.  He said a flight instructor/witness had told him the "wind had changed suddenly while he was on final approach, and it appeared he had encountered wind shear."  The abrupt weather changes were not forecasted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66322](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66322), registered now, S/N 15075986 (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: 15075986
- Airframe hours: 4814
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Precision Aviation
- Registered owner: Cope, Mark J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 9, 1994, 42 hours before
- Airport: HQZ, Phil L. Hudson, runway 35, 5,006 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 19 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °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 19940901044129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940901044129A), Sep 1, 1994: Cessna 150M, Mesquite, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during touch and go. Blamed windshift from unpredicted approaching storm. Anxiety a factor

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.