# NTSB LAX99LA187: Cessna 150J, N51096, Alderpoint, CA, May 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1999, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Alderpoint, CA - Coordinates: 40.140144, -123.679199 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1401&lon=-123.6792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46374/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA187 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing turbulent, gusty wind conditions during the approach. Contributing factors were the pilot's delayed go-around maneuver, the gusty and turbulent winds, and the tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated the weather was clear, but the winds were blustery and he estimated they were gusting erratically from the northwest between 20 and 25 knots. He said he experienced moderate to severe turbulence during the approach to the private grass strip, which was about 1,700 feet in length. He said he was aligned on final for the northerly-headed runway and maintaining 55 to 60 miles per hour. He touched down on the runway, and then a gust lifted him back into the air. As the aircraft started to float, he decided to execute a go-around. He applied takeoff power, but the aircraft contacted a tree that was 30 feet tall at the north end of the runway. The aircraft turned to the left, collided with a power line, the ground, and then skidded 75 feet before hitting a ranch bunkhouse. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1999, about 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N51096, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during a go-around at a private airstrip near Alderpoint, California. The commercial pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. He operated the aircraft under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The personal flight originated in Half Moon Bay, California, at 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated the weather was clear, but the winds were blustery and he estimated they were gusting erratically from the northwest between 20 and 25 knots. He said he experienced moderate to severe turbulence during the approach to the private grass strip, which was about 1,700 feet in length. He said he was aligned on final for the northerly-headed runway and maintaining 55 to 60 miles per hour. He touched down on the runway, and then a gust lifted him back into the air. As the aircraft started to float, he decided to execute a go-around. He applied takeoff power, but the aircraft contacted a tree that was 30 feet tall at the north end of the runway. The aircraft turned to the left, collided with a power line, the ground, and then skidded 75 feet before hitting a ranch bunkhouse. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51096](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51096-1999-06-28), registration cancelled 1999-06-28, S/N 15069761 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069761 - Airframe hours: 1900 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Klein - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1998, 90 hours before - Departed: HAF, HALF MOON BAY, CA - Airport: Fort Seward, runway 36, 1,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,458 total, 500 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 15 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ACV, 53 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 19990520005489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990520005489A), May 20, 1999: Cessna 150J, Alderpoint, CA, Substantial damage. Acft made a go around due to gusty winds and struck the tops of trees at the north end of rwy 17/35. (.4)the pilot stated the weather was clear, but the winds… 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.