# NTSB SEA08CA143: Cessna 150M, N63422, Cove, OR, May 28, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 27, 2008, 20:00 local (May 28, 2008, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Cove, OR
- Coordinates: 45.371112, -117.813613
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3711&lon=-117.8136&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA143

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a go-around.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that after over flying an unimproved grass airstrip he elected to land to the east. The pilot stated that on final approach about 50 feet above the ground he experienced a gust of wind. He attempted to go around by adding full power, but wasn't able to gain sufficient altitude before impacting terrain with the right wing tip. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing tip before coming to rest on a westerly heading in a nose down, tail up attitude. Both wings sustained substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that after over flying an unimproved grass airstrip he elected to land to the east. The pilot stated that on final approach about 50 feet above the ground he experienced a gust of wind. The pilot further stated that he attempted to go around by adding full power, but wasn't able to gain sufficient altitude before impacting terrain with the right wing tip. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing tip before coming to rest on a westerly heading in a nose down, tail up attitude. The pilot sustained a minor injury and there was no postcrash fire. Both wings sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63422](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63422-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 15077303, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150M
- 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: 15077303
- Engines: Continental O-200 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Craig C Niemitalo
- Registered owner: Elmer Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: Cove, OR
- Destination: Cove, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: LGD, 13 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 20080527836169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080527836169A), May 27, 2008: Cessna 150, Cove, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot flying aircraft without a medical or instructor endorsement. Amount of training received from a certified flight instructor is unknown.…

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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