# NTSB FTW94LA302: Cessna 150M, N9247U, Houston, TX, September 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1994, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.810249, -95.579307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8102&lon=-95.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA302

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE GO AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A SOLO STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST UNSUPERVISED SOLO PRACTICING FULL STOP LANDINGS. THE PILOT FELT HE WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THE RUNWAY AND DECIDED TO GO AROUND. HE APPLIED FULL POWER BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY AT MIDFIELD AND RAN OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK A POWER LINE 200 YARDS DOWN RANGE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND DIRECTLY BELOW THE POWER LINE.

## Factual narrative

On September 19, 1994, at 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N9247U, was destroyed during a go-around near Houston, Texas.  The solo student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions with calm winds prevailed for the solo instructional flight.

According to the FAA Inspector's report, the pilot was on his first unsupervised solo practicing full stop landings on runway 11 at Westheimer Airport, Houston, Texas.  The pilot reported that during a landing, he "felt he would overshoot the runway."  He initiated a go-around by applying full power.  The aircraft struck the runway at approximately midfield, departed the runway to the left, and became airborne just prior to crossing the parallel taxiway.  After traveling approximately 200 yards, the aircraft struck a power line, and then impacted directly below it.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9247U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9247U-1999-06-16), registration cancelled 1999-06-16, S/N 15078197 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078197
- Airframe hours: 5700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Van Passchew, John
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 17, 1994, 60 hours before
- Departed: STA4
- Destination: STA4, TX
- Airport: STA4, Westheimer Airpark, runway 11, 2,500 × 28 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 18 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19940919029109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940919029109A), Sep 19, 1994: Cessna 150M, Houston, TX, Destroyed. First unsupervised solo. High. Elected go around but hit runway. Ran off. Became airborne. Struck a powerline.

## Other investigations on N9247U (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 NYC91LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA192), Jul 28, 1991: Cessna 150M (N9247U), Brookville, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING.

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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