# NTSB WPR13CA173: Cessna 150, N4342U, Brush Praire, WA, April 1, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2013, 17:40 local (Apr 1, 2013, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Brush Praire, WA - Coordinates: 45.724166, -122.541114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7242&lon=-122.5411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86553 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86553/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86553 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare. ## 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 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071810), [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 150D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that a light and variable wind existed during the landing approach. As the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down, it pitched up, and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane departed the runway and impacted a fence and a rabbit hutch. Subsequently, both wings struck the ground, which resulted in structural damage to the wing spar, fuselage, and tail section. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that a light and variable wind existed during the landing approach. As the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down, it pitched up and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane departed the runway and impacted a fence and a rabbit hutch. Subsequently, both wings struck the ground, which resulted in structural damage to the wing spar, fuselage, and tail section. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4342U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4342U-2015-03-27), registration cancelled 2015-03-27, S/N 15060342, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - 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: 15060342 - Airframe hours: 5386 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-EZ2 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Philip Allen - Registered owner: Philip Allen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 2012 - Departed: SPB, Scappoose, OR - Destination: 5WA9, Brush Praire, WA - Airport: 5WA9, Brush Prairie, runway 09, 2,500 × 30 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 312 total, 91 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: SPB, 14 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 20130331004279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130331004279A), Mar 31, 2013: Cessna 150D, Brush Prairie, WA, Substantial damage. During approach to land the pilot initiated a go around, lost directional control and caught a wire from an electric fence with the right main gear. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86553. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 870 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot-Onsite Photo 1 (item 2, .PDF, 754 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot-Onsite%20Photo%201-Master.PDF - Pilot-Onsite Photo 2 (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot-Onsite%20Photo%202-Master.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.