# NTSB GAA16CA414: Cessna 150, N50945, New Albany, MS, August 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2016, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: New Albany, MS - Coordinates: 34.548332, -89.024444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5483&lon=-89.0244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA414 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93760/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93760 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA414 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate pitch attitude during landing, which resulted in an initial nose wheel contact, followed by a nose gear collapse, and the airplane came to rest in a nose down position. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing the airplane's nose wheel impacted the runway first and the axle broke. The pilot further reported that the airplane continued to slide on the runway bending the nose wheel strut, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's firewall. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing the airplane's nose wheel impacted the runway first and the axle broke. The pilot further reported that the airplane continued to slide on the runway bending the nose wheel strut, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's firewall. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50945](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50945-2019-03-09), registration cancelled 2019-03-09, S/N 15069665, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069665 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2015 - Departed: M72, New Albany, MS - Destination: M72, New Albany, MS - Airport: M72, New Albany-Union Co, runway 36, 3,903 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 141.1 total, 6.3 in this make and model, 2.2 in the last 90 days, 2.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KTUP, 21 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 20160802015959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160802015959A), Aug 2, 2016: Cessna 150J, New Albany, MS, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that winds were gusty with rain showers in the vicinity of M72. He stated that it felt as if the winds just stopped, and the aircraft lost lift.… ## Other investigations on N50945 (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 MIA88LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA190), Jun 13, 1988: Cessna 150J (N50945), Carthage, MS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93760. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.