# NTSB SEA91LA172: Cessna 150H, N50081, Shelton, WA, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1991, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.230197, -123.199066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2302&lon=-123.1991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA172

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DELAYED GO-AROUND GUSTING WINDS, POOR COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO A DIRT ROAD, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE A GUST OF WIND.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL FIR TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50081](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50081-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 15069052, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069052
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale Q. Nichols
- Registered owner: Dale Q. Nichols
- Departed: TIW, TACOMA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 685 total, 230 in this make and model, 435 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 4 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910713031929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910713031929A), Jul 13, 1991: Cessna 150H, Shelton, WA, Substantial damage. Tried to land on a farm road. Wind gust drifted aircraft on flare. Began go around but struck christmas trees.

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.