# NTSB NYC05CA062: Cessna 150L, N11965, Mitchellville, MD, March 19, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 19, 2005, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Mitchellville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.941112, -76.772224
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9411&lon=-76.7722&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA062

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.  A factor was the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

During landing on runway 36, as the airplane was settling onto the runway, a gust of wind elevated the airplane approximately 20 feet.  The pilot then added power, and the right wing lifted "radically," causing the left wing to impact the runway.  The airplane came to rest against an embankment on the left side of the runway.  The pilot estimated the winds to be from the east at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.  He also reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On March 19, 2005, at 1215 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150L, N11965, was substantially damaged while landing at Freeway Airport (WOO), Mitchellville, Maryland.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 36, and he estimated the winds were from the east at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.  He stated that during his eighth landing, he had 40 degrees of flaps and was settling onto the runway when a gust of wind elevated the airplane approximately 20 feet.  The pilot then added power, and the right wing lifted "radically," causing the left wing to impact the runway.  The airplane came to rest against an embankment on the left side of the runway.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.  He also reported 260 hours of total flight experience, 75 of which were in make and model of the accident airplane.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11965](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11965-2007-06-04), registration cancelled 2007-06-04, S/N 15075743, built 1974 (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: 15075743
- Airframe hours: 3454
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Hopkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2004, 38 hours before
- Departed: WOO, Mitchellville, MD
- Destination: WOO, Mitchellville, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: WOO, Freeway Airport, runway 36, 2,425 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 9, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 75 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: 9 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 20050319009499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050319009499A), Mar 19, 2005: Cessna 150L, Mitchellville, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was practicing take off and landings in a Cessna 150 tailwheel conversion (modified) aircraft. The active was runway 36, right turns, the wind…

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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