# NTSB IAD03LA034: Cessna 150J, N51126, Williamson, NY, February 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 2003, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Williamson, NY - Coordinates: 43.234722, -77.120277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2347&lon=-77.1203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff roll. A factor was the snow-covered runway. ## Analysis As the pilot taxied onto the runway, he could not see the centerline because the runway was covered with 3 inches of snow. He applied full power for the takeoff and during the takeoff roll, the airplane's left main landing gear caught the edge of a snow bank, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated he was unaware of his position to the left of the runway centerline during the takeoff, and reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 2003, at 1150 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150J, N51126, was substantially damaged during a takeoff from Williamson-Sodus Airport (3G7), Williamson, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he intended to practice touch-and-go landings at Williamson. It was a "gray day" and about 3 inches of new snow had just fallen at the airport. When he taxied onto the runway, the pilot could not see the centerline due to the snow coverage. He applied full power for takeoff, and during the takeoff roll, the airplane's left main landing gear caught the edge of a snow bank. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and the nose of the airplane impacted the snow bank. The pilot reported that he was unaware of his position to the left of the runway centerline during the takeoff, and that it was the first time he had taken off with fresh snow covering the runway. The pilot reported about 123 hours of total flight time, 4 of which were in make and model. He had recently received a checkout in the airplane; however, the accident flight was his first flight without an instructor. The pilot also reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing, rudder, and propeller. Weather reported in Rochester, New York, about 25 miles away, at 1154, included winds from 300 degrees at 6 knots, 9 miles visibility with light snow, few clouds at 2,300 feet, a broken cloud layer at 2,900 feet, and a broken cloud layer at 3,700 feet. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snowbank ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51126](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51126), registered now, S/N 15069782, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - 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: 15069782 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Williamson Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3G7, Williamson, NY - Destination: 3G7, Williamson, NY - Airport: 3G7, Williamson-Sodus Airport, runway 28, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 22, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 123 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.46 inHg - Observed at: ROC, 25 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 20030225035269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030225035269A), Feb 25, 2003: Cessna 150J, Williamson, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was on a runway that was snow covered (2 to 3 inches light fluff) with blanks on either side of the runway about four foot tall. Thirty feet… 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.