# NTSB NYC90LA033: Cessna 150, N704WX, Westfield, MA, November 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1989, 08:23 local (13:23 UTC)
- Place: Westfield, MA
- Location: 42.1579° N, 72.7159° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WESTFIELD-BARNES RGNL (BAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1579&lon=-72.7159&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 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA033

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING DUE TO AN IMPROPER FLARE AND RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT IN THE CESSNA 150 WAS INSTRUCTED TO MAKE A SHORT APPROACH AND HE LANDED HARD, BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, STALLED AND LOST CONTROL, STRIKING THE RUNWAY AND VEERING OFF THE SIDE. THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE FELT RUSHED BY THE CONTROLLER, HOWEVER, HE FAILED TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF AS A STUDENT PILOT OR MAKE ANY INDICATION TO THE CONTROLLER THAT HE COULD NOT COMPLETE THE SHORT APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704WX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704WX-2011-07-22), registration cancelled 2011-07-22, S/N 15078942, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078942
- Airframe hours: 4235
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charis Air Corp.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1989, 29 hours before
- Airport: BAF, Barnes, runway 33, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF

## 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 19891126046719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891126046719A), Nov 26, 1989: Cessna 150M, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. Student became flustered after request to shorten approach. Failed to flare,hit and bounced off runway on landing.

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.