# NTSB SEA97LA042: Cessna 150K, N5935G, Helena, MT, January 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 4, 1997, 10:58 local (17:58 UTC) - Place: Helena, MT - Coordinates: 46.53009, -112.210327 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5301&lon=-112.2103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42550/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank ## Analysis The pilot reported that the flight was cleared for landing on runway 27. The flare was a little high, however, the pilot continued the landing and touched down without difficulty. The pilot stated that during the landing roll-out, she remembered that she needed to complete a touch-and-go requirement and applied power to go-around. The pilot stated that the airplane began to veer to the left and she tried to correct with right rudder control. The pilot was unable to regain directional control and the airplane continued off the left side of the runway and collided with a snow bank. ## Factual narrative On January 4, 1997, at 1058 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150K, N5935G, operated by Butte Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a snow bank during a touch-and-go landing at the Helena Airport, Helena, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had originated from Butte, Montana, approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to complete the last cross-country flight requirement before the private pilot check ride. The pilot stated that she was cleared to land on runway 27. The pilot stated that the flare for touch down was high, however, the landing was continued without difficulty. After the airplane touched down and was on the roll out, the pilot remembered that she needed to complete a touch-and-go requirement. The pilot stated that she applied power to go-around and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot tried to correct with right rudder control, however, the pilot was unable to regain control and the airplane continued to the left side of the runway and collided with a snow bank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5935G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5935G), registered now, S/N 15071435, built 1968 (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: 15071435 - Airframe hours: 4336 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Butte Aviation - Registered owner: Highes, Eugene F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1996, 44 hours before - Departed: BTM, BUTTE, MT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: HLN, Helena Regional, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 117 total, 93 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HLN ## 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 19970104000209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970104000209A), Jan 4, 1997: Cessna 150K, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. Veered left off runway during go portion. Combination of crosswind and p factor not compensated. 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.