# NTSB WPR10CA201: Cessna 150D, N4296U, Galena, ID, April 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2010, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Galena, ID - Coordinates: 43.912223, -114.796112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9122&lon=-114.7961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75733/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75733 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with soft, snow-covered terrain while executing a precautionary landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he intended to fly his airplane on a cross-country flight over high mountainous terrain. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl) in order to fly over mountains. He subsequently descended to 8,500 feet msl, and then he attempted to climb back to 9,500 feet to clear additional mountains. This second climbing effort diminished his fuel reserve, so the pilot opted to divert to a 7,160-foot msl uncontrolled airport short of his destination. While flying over the airport to evaluate its runway's condition, the pilot noted that the runway was covered with snow. The pilot opined that because of the airplane's low fuel state, it was prudent for him to land. The pilot made a soft-field landing on the runway. During rollout, the airplane's wheels penetrated the snow-covered surface, the airplane nosed over, and both wings and the empennage broke. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he intended to fly his airplane on a cross-country flight over high mountainous terrain. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl) in order to fly over mountains. He subsequently descended to 8,500 feet msl, and then he attempted to climb back to 9,500 feet to clear additional mountains. This second climbing effort diminished his fuel reserve, so the pilot opted to divert to a 7,160-foot msl uncontrolled airport short of his destination. While flying over the airport to evaluate its runway's condition, he noted that the runway was covered with snow. The pilot opined that because of the airplane's low fuel state, it was prudent for him to land. The pilot made a soft field landing on the runway. During roll out, the airplane's wheels penetrated the snow-covered surface, the airplane nosed over, and both wings and the empennage broke. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4296U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4296U-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 15060296, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D - Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060296 - Airframe hours: 5212 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2010, 13 hours before - Departed: U88, Garden Valley, ID - Destination: U87, Galena, ID - Airport: U87, Smiley Creek, runway 14, 4,900 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 23, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 4,900 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,675 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °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 20100410031379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100410031379A), Apr 10, 2010: Cessna 150, Stanley, ID, Substantial damage. Flight was from boise to hailley. During the flight VFR conditions deteriorated and prevented the pilot from being able to climb over galena summit. The pilot… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75733. 415 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328861&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.