# NTSB SEA97LA101: Cessna 150F, N8093F, Plains, MT, May 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1997, 10:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Plains, MT - Coordinates: 47.569824, -114.730377 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5698&lon=-114.7304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42598 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42598/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident were gusts and crosswinds. ## 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) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated that he encountered gusting crosswind conditions during a landing in a Cessna 150 with a tailwheel conversion. The pilot could not maintain directional control of the airplane. The airplane ground looped and the right wing contacted terrain. The right wing, right lift strut and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1997, at 1010 mountain daylight time, N8093F, a Cessna 150F with a tail wheel conversion, operated by the owner/pilot, ground looped during landing rollout in Plains, Montana, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector from Helena, Montana, the pilot encountered gusting wind conditions during a landing on runway 30 at the Plains Airport. The airplane ground looped and the right wing contacted terrain. The right wing, right lift strut and fuselage were substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8093F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8093F), registered now, S/N 15064193, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15064193 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lilja, Daniel R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1997, 4 hours before - Departed: S34 - Airport: S34, Plains, runway 30, 3,060 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 216 total, 88 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 213° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSO, 46 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 19970507012119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970507012119A), May 7, 1997: Cessna 150F, Plains, MT, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated that he encountered gusting crosswind conditions during a landing in a Cessna 150 with a tailwheel conversion. The pilot could not… ## Other investigations on N8093F (2) 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. - [NTSB SEA96LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA086), Apr 13, 1996: Cessna 150F (N8093F), Plains, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing rollout. - [NTSB MKC67D0531](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0531), Apr 2, 1967: Cessna 150F (N8093F), Sioux City, IA, substantial damage 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.