# NTSB IAD98LA067: Cessna 150G, N3731J, Selbyville, DE, June 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 1998, 16:37 local (20:37 UTC) - Place: Selbyville, DE - Coordinates: 38.469577, -75.170799 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4696&lon=-75.1708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28306/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA067 ## Probable cause Inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. High, gusting winds were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, when he picked up a banner, a gust of wind caught the left wing and banked the airplane to the right. Despite his efforts of applying left rudder and left aileron, the airplane continued to the right, into the tree line that surrounded the grass strip. He dropped the banner and tried to climb, but the airplane descended into the trees, and impacted the ground. The closest weather reporting station about 10 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind at the time of the accident as 310 degrees at 12 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots. The pilot said that he estimated the wind speed to be 15 knots with wind gusts to 25 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 1998, at 1637 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3731J, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a banner pick-up from a private grass strip near Selbyville, Delaware. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The banner towing flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, when he picked up a banner, a gust of wind caught the left wing and banked the airplane to the right. Despite his efforts of applying left rudder and left aileron, the airplane continued to the right, into the tree line that surrounded the grass strip. He dropped the banner and tried to climb, but the airplane descended into the trees, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported over 313 hours of total flight experience including 130 hours in make and model. He had over 50 hours of banner towing experience. The closest weather reporting station about 10 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind at the time of the accident as 310 degrees at 12 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots. The pilot said that he estimated the wind speed to be 15 knots with wind gusts to 25 knots. He said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3731J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3731J-2013-05-21), registration cancelled 2013-05-21, S/N 15065031, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065031 - Airframe hours: 7416 - Engines: Lycoming L-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Banners - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, runway 36, 2,010 × 115 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 313 total, 130 in this make and model, 279 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19980603012119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980603012119A), Jun 3, 1998: Cessna 150G, Selbyville, DE, Substantial damage. After picking up a banner on climbout a wind gust caused loss of control. Crashed into trees. Under powered for ops.s (.4)according to the pilot, when he… ## Other investigations on N3731J (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 DEN72FTE34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FTE34), Oct 20, 1971: Cessna 150 (N3731J), Aurora, CO, substantial 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.