# NTSB WPR13CA165: Cessna 150, N7177X, Bellingham, WA, March 23, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 23, 2013, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Bellingham, WA - Coordinates: 48.752777, -122.474998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7528&lon=-122.4750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86505 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86505/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86505 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instruction conducted a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and the airplane began to drift left of the centerline. The pilot receiving instruction applied right rudder control inputs, and the airplane veered to the right. Despite the flight instructor's control inputs to regain control, the airplane continued to the right and subsequently ground looped. The left wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground, which resulted in structural damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. . The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that following a wheel landing in the tail-wheel equipped airplane by the pilot receiving instruction, the airplane began to drift left of the centerline. The pilot receiving instruction applied right rudder control inputs and the airplane veered to the right. Despite the flight instructor's control inputs to regain control, the airplane continued to the right and subsequently ground looped. The left wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground, which resulted in structural damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7177X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7177X-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 15059277, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150a) (registry code 2071804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059227 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Command Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Command Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2012, 24 hours before - Departed: BLI, Bellingham, WA - Destination: BLI, Bellingham, WA - Airport: BLI, Bellingham Airport, runway 16, 6,900 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,844 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,780 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,028 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,028 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: BLI ## 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 20130323003469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130323003469A), Mar 23, 2013: Cessna 150A, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. During instruction in tail wheel operation the student lost directional control of the aircraft, after landing during rollout. Instructor could not regain… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86505. 648 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 648 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390294&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.