# NTSB WPR19LA213: Cessna 150, Roundup, MT, July 30, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 29, 2019, 20:40 local (Jul 30, 2019, 02:40 UTC) - Place: Roundup, MT - Coordinates: 46.474998, -108.54333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4750&lon=-108.5433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100025/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA213 ## Probable cause The pilot ‘s failure to maintain an adequate altitude above the trees while maneuvering to land. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross-county flight, the pilot arrived at his planned destination near sunset and was maneuvering to land. While maneuvering, the airplane struck a stand of trees and subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine was “running fine” and that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine also revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2019, about 2040 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150M airplane, Canadian Registered C-GEYP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Roundup Airport (RPX), Roundup, Montana. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot remembered flying cross-country that day starting from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His previous stop before the accident was at Harding County Airport, (9D2), Buffalo, South Dakota, where he filled up with fuel. His final stop of the day was scheduled to be RPX, which was about 215.7 miles east-southeast of 9D2. The pilot recalled arriving in the local area of RPX about 2030. He mentioned that the airplane’s engine was “running fine” when he felt an impact, which was the last thing he remembered about the accident. He had no recollection of how he egressed from the airplane but remembered being found outside the airplane the next morning. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The accident site was located about 0.5 mile to the northwest of the approach end for runway 07. A review of the accident site pictures revealed that a tall tree was broken about 10 ft from the top, and the top portion of the tree was laying on the ground with a fresh break. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it sustained substantial impact damage to the fuselage and wings. Flight control continuity was established. The engine was examined and was unable to be rotated due to the crankshaft being bent, which was consistent with impact damage. No other anomalies were noted during the examination of the engine or engine accessories that would have precluded normal operation. Sunset in Roundup, Montana, on the day of the accident was 2049. ## Aircraft - Registration: C-GEYP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (M) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078027 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2018 - Departed: 9D2, Harding, SD - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: RPX, Roundup, runway 07/25, 5,099 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 475 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KBIL, 40 nm away - METAR: METAR KBIL 300253Z 13007KT 10SM FEW110 SCT180 28/11 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP108 CB DSNT SW NW SHRA DSNT SW-NW T02830111 55003 ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100025. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13084372&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=C-GEYP%206120%20Final%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination summary report (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13102453&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19LA213%20Engine%20and%20Airframe%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 238 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13122641&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19LA213%20Party%20Member%20Form%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 791 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13085307&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Retention%20-Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form%20Final_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13084847&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Pictures_Redacted-Rel.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.