# NTSB FTW96LA347: Cessna 150H, N6935S, Fort Collins, CO, August 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1996, 11:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.650875, -105.029067 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6509&lon=-105.0291&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 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19945/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA347 ## Probable cause improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing, and subsequent overload failure of the nosewheel axle and nose gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,axle - overload - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis During a local area solo training flight, the student pilot flew to another local airport to conduct a touch-and-go landing. A landing occurred which sheared off the nose landing gear and damaged the propeller. The student, apparently unaware of the damage, then flew to the local practice area, conducted maneuvers for an unknown period of time, and proceeded back to the point of origin for a final landing. During the final landing, further damage was sustained to the remains of the nose landing gear assembly, propeller, and the right outer wing leading edge. Examination of the failed nose landing gear axle bolt revealed the bolt failed in overload. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1996, at 1125 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N6935S, sheared off the nose landing gear during a touch-and-go landing at Fort Collins/Loveland Municipal Airport (FNL), Fort Collins , Colorado. The student pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this student solo training flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Fort Collins Downtown Airpark (3V5), approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. Witness marks, debris on the runway, and the pilot's statement revealed the student was performing a touch-and-go landing at FNL and a landing occurred which sheared off the nose landing gear and damaged the propeller. The flight became airborne following this event and the student pilot, unaware of the damage, flew to the local practice area, spent some period of time practicing maneuvers, then flew the aircraft back to the departure airport, 3V5. During landing at 3V5, further damage was sustained to the remaining portion of the nose landing gear assembly, propeller, and right outer wing leading edge. Examination of the failed nose landing gear axle bolt by a Safety Board metallurgist revealed that the axle bolt failed in overload. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6935S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6935S-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 15067635, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150H - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067635 - Airframe hours: 5427 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: The Pilot Center - Registered owner: Bob Faris/Linda Bilsing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1996, 81 hours before - Departed: 3V5, CO - Airport: FNL, Fort Collins/Loveland, runway 33, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 1 nm away ## 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 19960816023019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960816023019A), Aug 16, 1996: Cessna 150H, Ft Collins, CO, Substantial damage. During student solo, nose gear fell off inflight. On second landing crashed. ## Other investigations on N6935S (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 DEN04LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA028), Dec 8, 2003: Cessna 150H (N6935S), Bountiful, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the unqualified person's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors include the instructor's inadequate supervision, the instructor's inadequate… 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.