# NTSB LAX07CA256: Cessna 150L, N11449, Keystone Height, FL, August 16, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 16, 2007, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Keystone Height, FL
- Coordinates: 29.833333, -82.033332
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8333&lon=-82.0333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA256

## Probable cause

the student pilot's excessive retraction of flaps and failure to attain an adequate airspeed during a go-around that led to a stall/mush.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - raising of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The airplane landed hard on the runway during an attempted go-around, causing substantial damage.  In the flare for landing the student pilot decided to do a go-around due to the effects of a wind gust.  The student added full power, shut off the carburetor heat, and reduced the flaps to 10 degrees.  Initially the airplane began to climb, and then "dropped and landed hard" on the runway.  According to the Cessna 150L owner's manual, during a go-around, the flaps should be reduced to 20 degrees after application of full power.  After a safe airspeed has been attained the flaps should be slowly retracted to the full up position.

## Factual narrative

According to the student pilot the landing approach was conducted at 71 knots with full flaps, and the airplane was aligned with the centerline of runway 22.  He noted the windsock was flat but pointing in a crosswind direction relative to the runway.  He said that as he flared for landing, the wind picked up in the crosswind direction and turned the airplane into the wind.  He corrected for the wind condition, but felt unsure of a safe landing.  The student pilot initiated the go-around with the application of full throttle, turned off the carburetor heat, and retracted the flaps to 10 degrees.  He stated that the airplane was climbing and then "just dropped and landed hard."  The pilot reported that the AWOS was not reporting gusty wind conditions at the time, but the winds were from 230 degrees at less than 6 knots.

According to the Cessna 150L owner's manual, "in a balked landing (go-around) climb; the wing flap setting should be reduced to 20 degrees after full power is applied.  Upon reaching a safe airspeed, the flaps should be slowly retracted to full up position."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11449](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11449-2021-12-04), registration cancelled 2021-12-04, S/N 15075431, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75150432
- Airframe hours: 7735
- Engines: Teledyne Continental O-200-A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Oehl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007
- Departed: 42J, Keystone Height, FL
- Destination: 42J, Keystone Height, FL
- Airport: 42J, Keystone Heights, runway 22, 5,044 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 44; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 29 total, 20 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg

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.

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