# NTSB LAX08CA148: Cessna 150H, N7050S, Augusta, GA, May 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2008, 15:46 local (19:46 UTC) - Place: Augusta, GA - Coordinates: 33.36972, -81.964447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3697&lon=-81.9644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68054/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate decision to taxi during thunderstorm activity and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were thunderstorms and wind gusts. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot taxied the airplane to the active runway, observing thunderstorms approaching from a distance. As precipitation became heavy and hailstones began to fall, he requested to taxi back. After being cleared, he continued to the ramp area and encountered a strong wind. The airplane began to rock, tipping the right wing downward on the taxiway surface. The hail became so severe that the pilot could not see out the windshield, nor could he control the airplane. The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 65 feet off the taxiway. The Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Reports around the time of the accident indicated winds at 11 knots, gusting to 18 with heavy thunderstorm and rain activity. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that while taxiing the airplane to the active runway, he observed thunderstorms approaching from a distance. He opted to return and scrub the flight. After reaching the ramp area he spoke with a friend about the weather and then decided to attempt to depart again. As he was taxiing to the active runway again the precipitation became heavy and hailstones began to fall. He again decided to not depart and requested to taxi back. After being cleared, he continued to the ramp area and encountered a strong wind. The airplane began to rock and he reacted by steering the nose into the wind in an attempt to gain control. The wind continued to shake the airplane, tipping the right wing downward on the taxiway surface. The hail became so severe that the pilot could not see out the windshield, nor could he control the airplane. The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 65 feet off the taxiway. The closest official weather observation station was at the airport. A special Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) issued 5 minutes after the accident indicated winds at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots with thunderstorms in the vicinity. Another special METAR was issued 11 minutes thereafter indicating winds at 30 knots, gusting to 58 knots with heavy thunderstorm and rain activity. The airplane incurred damage to the wing spar during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7050S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7050S), registered now, S/N 15067750, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150H - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067750 - Airframe hours: 4353 - Engines: Continental O-200A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gospel Ministries International - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007 - Departed: KAGS, Augusta, GA - Destination: 3M3, COLLEGEDALE, TN - Airport: AGS, Augusta Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 115 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.57 inHg - Observed at: KAGS ## 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 20080520834039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080520834039A), May 20, 2008: Cessna 150H, Augusta, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Ground control gave N7050S clearance for taxi. Ground control confirmed that if the a/c were to takeoff, flying south would be the best option to avoid… ## Other investigations on N7050S (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 LAX70FUQ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70FUQ25), Apr 25, 1970: Cessna 150 (N7050S), Goleta, CA, 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.