# NTSB GAA16CA033: Cessna 150, N6709S, Millbrook, NY, October 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2015, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Millbrook, NY - Coordinates: 41.707221, -73.738052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7072&lon=-73.7381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Teterboro FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92256/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92256 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of heading control during the go-around in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing flare he encountered "wind shear" and crosswind conditions. About 10 feet above the runway, the airplane ballooned and the nose rotated 30 degrees to the left. He added full power to go-around, but the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and the left wing impacted a tree. Subsequently, the airplane spun around 180 degrees and came to rest in grass to the left of the runway. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A routine aviation weather report 8 nautical miles southwest of the airport reported the wind at 020 degrees true at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots, and clear skies. The landing runway heading was 350 degrees magnetic, which resulted in a 10 knot crosswind component. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare he encountered "wind shear" and crosswind conditions. About 10 feet above the runway, the airplane ballooned and the nose rotated 30 degrees to the left. He added full power to go-around, but the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and the left wing impacted a tree. Subsequently, the airplane spun around 180 degrees and came to rest in grass to the left of the runway. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A routine aviation weather report 8 nautical miles southwest of the airport reported the wind at 020 degrees true at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots, and clear skies. The landing runway heading was 350 degrees magnetic, which resulted in a 10 knot crosswind component. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6709S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6709S-2016-07-07), registration cancelled 2016-07-07, S/N 15067509, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (H) - 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: 15067509 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: Continental Motors O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2015 - Departed: POU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - Destination: 44N, Millbrook, NY - Airport: 44N, Sky Acres, runway 35, 3,830 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 364 total, 70 in this make and model, 309 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 81; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,320 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KPOU, 8 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 20151023020159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151023020159A), Oct 23, 2015: Cessna 150H, Lagrangeville, NY, Substantial damage. On October 23, 2015, at approximately 0900 hour the pilot and one passenger, a certificated flight instructor, departed dutchess county airport (kpou) to… ## Other investigations on N6709S (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 CHI69D0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0020), Jun 3, 1968: Cessna 150 (N6709S), Chardon, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92256. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.