# NTSB SEA04LA176: Cessna 150K, N6141G, Richland, WA, August 26, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2004, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Richland, WA - Coordinates: 46.309444, -119.306945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3094&lon=-119.3069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60032 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60032/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA176 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Wind gusts, inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and an airport marker sign were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he had completed practicing maneuvers in the practice area and was returning to the airport for a full stop landing. The student stated that he set-up for a soft field landing to runway 19. During the flare and about two to three feet above the runway, a gust of wind caught the airplane which yawed it to the right approximately 45 to 60 degrees. The airplane then touched down and started "skipping" as it traveled down the runway. The student pilot stated that, "I had not reacted to correct for the exaggerated yaw which is how the airplane probably bounced as it did." The right wingtip then contacted the surface and the pilot applied "a little power for the throttle and tried to gain some altitude." The pilot then heard the tail tie-down ring scrape the runway. The airplane continued to the right and the left horizontal stabilizer collided with a runway marker sign. The aircraft rolled about 100 feet before the student was able to stop the aircraft in the dirt off the right side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2004, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150K, N6141G, registered to and operated by Szen Air LLC, as a 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight, collided with an airport sign during landing at Richland Airport, Richland, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Richland about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the student pilot reported that he had completed practicing maneuvers in the practice area and was returning to the airport for a full stop landing. The student stated that he set-up for a soft field landing to runway 19. During the flare and about two to three feet above the runway, a gust of wind caught the airplane which yawed it to the right approximately 45 to 60 degrees. The airplane then touched down and started "skipping" as it traveled down the runway. The student pilot stated that, "I had not reacted to correct for the exaggerated yaw which is how the airplane probably bounced as it did." The right wingtip then contacted the surface and the pilot applied "a little power for the throttle and tried to gain some altitude." The pilot then heard the tail tie-down ring scrape the runway. The airplane continued to the right and the left horizontal stabilizer collided with a runway marker sign. The aircraft rolled about 100 feet before the student was able to stop the aircraft in the dirt off the right side of the runway. At 1253, the Pasco Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, Washington, located eight nautical miles east of Richland, reported the winds from 310 degrees at seven knots. The sky was clear with a temperature of 77 degrees F. The student pilot reported the weather conditions at Richland as the wind from 200 degrees at 8 to 10 knots with gusts of 11 to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6141G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6141G-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N 15071641, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150K - Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071641 - Airframe hours: 4150 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Szen Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 2004, 40 hours before - Departed: RLD, Richland, WA - Airport: RLD, Richland, runway 19, 4,009 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 132 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: PSC, 8 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 20040826019459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040826019459A), Aug 26, 2004: Cessna 150K, Richland, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot was landing when an unexpected gust of wind caused the aircraft to yaw right and depart the runway. The left elevator struck a runway sign… 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.