# NTSB GAA16CA453: Cessna 150, N8120S, Franklin, PA, August 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2016, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Franklin, PA - Coordinates: 41.378887, -79.857223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3789&lon=-79.8572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA453 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA453 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control resulting in a hard landing and the flight instructor's delayed action to assist the student pilot during the aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion, a right main and nose gear collapse, and fuselage damage. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 150F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2071814), [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; cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071814), [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-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during a gusty crosswind landing the airplane touched down and drifted off the runway to the right. He further reported that he added power to abort the landing, but "with the carburetor heat still on, and the flaps at 30 degrees and the temperature of nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, we did not regain control." The airplane pitched up and the left wing hit the ground. Subsequently, the airplane was "vaulted" over to the right side of the runway and impacted terrain. which resulted in a collapsed right main and nose gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot flared a little high and he thought the landing would be "just a little hard" and he allowed the student to continue. The flight instructor further reported that during the aborted landing, he attempted to help the student pilot maintain control of the airplane, but "it was too late". The automated weather observing system at the airport about 5 minutes before the accident recorded the wind at 180 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The student pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30. The same automated weather observing system about 15 minutes after the accident recorded the wind at 210 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that during a gusty crosswind landing the airplane touched down and drifted off the runway to the right. He further reported that he added power to abort the landing, but "with the carburetor heat still on, and the flaps at 30 degrees and the temperature of nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, we did not regain control." The airplane pitched up and the left wing hit the ground. Subsequently, the airplane was "vaulted" over to the right side of the runway and impacted terrain. which resulted in a collapsed right main and nose gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot flared a little high and he thought the landing would be "just a little hard" and he allowed the student to continue. The flight instructor further reported that during the aborted landing, he attempted to help the student pilot maintain control of the airplane, but "it was too late". The automated weather observing system at the airport about 5 minutes before the accident recorded the wind at 180 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The student pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30. The same automated weather observing system about 15 minutes after the accident recorded the wind at 210 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8120S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8120S-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 15061720, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061720 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 5816 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 2016 - Departed: N27, TOWANDA, PA - Destination: FKL, Franklin, PA - Airport: FKL, Venango Rgnl, runway 30, 3,593 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 30 total, 5 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 337 total, 10 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KFKL, 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 20160824015269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160824015269A), Aug 24, 2016: Cessna 150F, Franklin, PA, Substantial damage. On 8/24/2016, [privacy data omitted] and [privacy data omitted] departed northampton airport (7B2) at approximately 9:00 am in a Cessna 150F, N8120S destined… ## Other investigations on N8120S (2) 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 NYC67D0560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0560), Mar 26, 1967: Cessna 150 (N8120S), Ronkonkoma, NY, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC66D0540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0540), Mar 13, 1966: Cessna 150 (N8120S), Islip, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93909. 2.2 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=40445396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 3, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-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.