# NTSB SEA93LA118: Cessna 150M, N63531, Bellingham, WA, May 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1993, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Bellingham, WA
- Coordinates: 48.73022, -122.4794 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7302&lon=-122.4794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43031/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA118

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE STUDENT PILOT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED WIND GUSTS DURING LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN, AND THE ACFT TURNED LEFT 90 DEGREES AND IMPACTED TREES BESIDE THE RUNWAY. WIND AT THE TIME WAS 14 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS.  THE STUDENT PILOT HAD 46 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63531](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63531-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 15077376, 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: 15077376
- Airframe hours: 8920
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A48 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cascade Flight
- Registered owner: Wight Marine Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1993, 4 hours before
- Departed: CLM, PORT ANGELES, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BLI, Bellingham International, runway 2, 1,760 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 46 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19930523014789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930523014789A), May 23, 1993: Cessna 150M, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted a wing on touchdown. Lost control. Struck trees on side of runway. Too much wind for student.

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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