# NTSB FTW98LA255: Cessna 150L, N19271, Pearland, TX, May 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1998, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Pearland, TX - Coordinates: 29.549573, -95.26976 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5496&lon=-95.2698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20638 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20638/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA255 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of the wrong runway/landing area. A factor was the lack of visual runway cues available to the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command ## Analysis The 400 hour private pilot mistook the freshly mowed area to the east of the runway 14L for the approved landing area known as 'sod runway 14L.' During the touchdown, the airplane impacted a shallow depression running perpendicular to his path and the airplane bounced up in the air. On the second touchdown, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch which collapsed the nose landing gear. According to the FAA inspector that traveled to the accident site, the confines of the 2,800 foot sod runway were difficult to define due to the lack of usage. He added that the grass was all the same tone of green as most of the surrounding area. Additionally, the worn out areas normally found in the vicinity of the touchdown zone, as well as along the runway centerline, were missing. Those visual cues normally help the pilots define the confines of the runway. The pilot's familiarity with sod runway 14L and the airport could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1998, at 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L airplane, N19271, was substantially damaged while landing near Pearland, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Fancy Flights of Pearland, Texas, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Clover Field Airport, near Pearland, Texas, at 1615. According to personnel at Clover Field, while landing on sod runway 14L, the 400 hour private pilot mistook the freshly mowed area to the east of the runway 14L for the approved landing area. During the touchdown, the airplane impacted a shallow depression running perpendicular to his path and the airplane bounced up in the air. On the second touchdown, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch resulting in the collapsing of the nose landing gear. According to the FAA inspector that traveled to the accident site, the confines of the 2,800 foot sod runway were difficult to define due to the lack of usage. He added that the grass was all the same tone of green as most of the surrounding area. Additionally, the worn out areas normally found in the vicinity of the touchdown zone, as well as along the runway centerline, were missing. Those visual cues normally assist pilots in defining the confines of the runway. Two sets of freshly painted tires were found on both approach ends of the runway. The investigation determine that the pilot was home-based at Clover Field; however, it could not determine if the pilot had previously used sod runway 14L. The pilot's overall familiarity with the airport could not be established. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the propeller, engine mounts, rudder, and the nose landing gear assembly were damaged. The engine firewall sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19271](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19271), registered now, S/N 15074292, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 150-74292 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David L. Kelsey, doing business as Fancy Flights - Registered owner: Dalake Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: T02 - Airport: T02, Clover Field Airport, runway 14L, 2,800 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 130 in this make and model, 322 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19980531011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980531011759A), May 31, 1998: Cessna 150L, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The 400 hour private pilot mistook the freshly mowed area to the east of the runway 14L for the approved landing area known as 'sod runway 14L.' During the… ## Other investigations on N19271 (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 FTW86LRA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRA10), Mar 1, 1986: Cessna 150L (N19271), Houston, TX, no damage 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.