# NTSB NYC92LA063: Cessna 150D, N4373U, Moneta, VA, February 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1992, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Moneta, VA
- Coordinates: 37.180461, -79.630874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1805&lon=-79.6309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING WITH A CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE PILOT COULD NOT GET AN AIRPORT ADVISORY FROM UNICOM SO HE OBSERVED THE WIND SOCK.  HE SAID, '...[SOCK] INDICATED A NO WIND, NO GUST, FLAT POSITION.'  THE LAST WIND INFORMATION HE HAD WAS THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTHWEST.  HE DECIDED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 5 AND, JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE ENCOUNTERED A LEFT CROSSWIND.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WIND PUSHED THE AIRPLANE 60 TO 70 FEET BEFORE HE COULD ATTEMPT A GO AROUND.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND AND THE NOSE STRUT COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4373U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4373U-2018-07-25), registration cancelled 2018-07-25, S/N 15060373, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060373
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Parker Charter Inc.
- Registered owner: Parker Charter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1992, 7 hours before
- Departed: HLX, HILLSVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: W91, Moneta-Smith Mtn Lake, runway 5, 3,050 × 51 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 66 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 60 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 19920220003409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920220003409A), Feb 20, 1992: Cessna 150D, Moneta, VA, Substantial damage. Reported sudden wind gust blew 150 off side of runway on flare for landing. Nose gear collapsed in soft ground.

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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