# NTSB FTW97LA164: Cessna 150F, N3101X, Norman, OK, April 21, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1997, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Coordinates: 35.210384, -97.43943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2104&lon=-97.4394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA164

## Probable cause

Improper flare.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was involved in a hard landing, and according to the pilot while over the touchdown zone in ground effect, a sudden and dramatic increase in sink rate occurred.  The pilot increased the throttle, 'but due to the proximity to the runway even though the sink rate appeared to decrease, the aircraft contacted the runway on the landing gear.'

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1997, at approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N3101X, was substantially damaged following a hard landing at the David Jay Perry Airport, near Norman, Oklahoma.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The airplane was owned and operated by Av8ter Services, Ltd. of Norman, Oklahoma, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated approximately 45 minutes before the accident.  No flight plan had been filed for the flight.

During a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was landing on runway 31 when "something happened," and the airplane landed hard.  On his written statement, the pilot stated that "while over the touchdown zone in ground effect, a sudden and dramatic increase in sink rate occurred."  The pilot increased the throttle, "but due to the proximity to the runway even though the sink rate appeared to decrease, the aircraft contacted the runway on the landing gear."  The nose gear folded back under the airplane and subsequently damaged the fire wall, structural components behind the fire wall, and the belly skin.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3101X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3101X), registered now, S/N 15064501, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15064501
- Airframe hours: 4037
- Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Av8ter Services, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 12, 1997, 72 hours before
- Departed: OK14
- Airport: OK14, David Perry, runway 31, 3,006 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 88 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 10 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 19970421012099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970421012099A), Apr 21, 1997: Cessna 150F, Norman, OK, Substantial damage. High sink rate unchecked. Landed hard on nose gear. Folded it back under the plane. Damaged firewall and belly skin (-23) the pilot on short final to runway 31…

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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