# NTSB NYC04LA081: Cessna 150F, N3038X, Harrisonburg, VA, March 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2004, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Harrisonburg, VA - Coordinates: 38.5, -78.999725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5000&lon=-78.9997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 58854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58854/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to attempt a landing with an excessive tailwind, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while attempting to climb during a go-around. A factor related to the accident was the tailwind conditions and the rising terrain beyond the runway. ## 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) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot conducted an approach to runway 30, and encountered a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of airspeed. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane stalled at a low altitude, which he could not recover from. The airplane descended to the ground, and came to rest inverted. Runway 30 was a 1,700-foot long grass airstrip, and sloped upwards to a crest at the midpoint. Rising terrain and trees were located prior to and beyond the airstrip. The airstrip was equipped with a windsock. The pilot reported after the accident that the winds were from the south at 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. The pilot did not report encountering any abnormalities with the engine or airframe during the flight. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2004, at 1440 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150F, N3038X, was substantially damaged during a go-around at a private airstrip in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The certificate private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at the Luray Caverns Airport, Luray, Virginia, about 1330. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he made an approach to runway 30, and encountered a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of airspeed. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane stalled at a low altitude, which he could not recover from. The airplane descended to the ground, and came to rest inverted. A witness, who was a pilot, stated that he observed the accident airplane as it was making its final approach to the airstrip. At the time, there was a "very strong, gusting tailwind, at 25-30 miles an hour." The landing approach seemed a little high, and the airplane disappeared from view as it neared the airstrip. The witness then heard the engine "go full throttle," and the airplane reappeared over the top of a knoll located 20 feet beyond the end of the airstrip. Just barely clearing treetops, the airplane flew in a northwest direction for approximately ¼ mile. It then turned to the left, and flew an additional 200 yards, where the right wing rose upward. The airplane then descended to the ground, coming to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the flaps were extended about 8 degrees. No abnormalities were noted with the airframe or engine. The inspector added that runway 30 was a 1,700-foot long grass airstrip, and sloped upwards to a crest at the midpoint. Rising terrain and trees were located prior to and beyond the airstrip. The airstrip was equipped with a windsock. The winds reported from an airport about 33 miles southeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 210 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot reported that the winds were from the south at 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3038X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3038X-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 15064438, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15064438 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Detrich - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 2003 - Departed: W45, Luray, VA - Destination: NONE, Harrisonburg, VA - Airport: NONE, runway 30, 1,700 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 5, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 278 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 18 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: CHO, 33 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 20040305021409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040305021409A), Mar 5, 2004: Cessna 150F, Harrisonburg, VA, Destroyed. (-23) On March 5, 2004 and approximately 2:45 lt a Cessna 150F N3038X was trying to land with a strong tail wing. The pilot tried to continue his flight and… ## Other investigations on N3038X (2) 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 OAK71DVA88](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71DVA88), Jun 20, 1971: Cessna 150 (N3038X), Turlock, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK70AP038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70AP038), Jan 25, 1970: Cessna 150F (N3038X), Sonora, 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.