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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 4, 1996 · Cessna 150L · N7176G

Cummings, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Cummings, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 150L
Tail Number
N7176G
Operator
John S Wheeler
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL96LA057

The pilot was making full-stop landings and takeoffs. On the second landing, as he flared for touchdown, the airplane ballooned. The pilot elected to go around. He stated that the airplane did not appear to be performing well, and that the rate of climb was insufficient to avoid rising terrain at the end of the runway. He therefore did not adjust the flaps. The owner of the airplane indicated that the pilot failed to adjust the nose attitude in coordination with flap retraction. The flaps were found in the retracted position when the airplane was examined following the accident. The engine was placed on a test stand and operated.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's abrupt retraction of the flaps and his failure to coordinate airspeed with flap retraction which resulted in the lack of airplane performance.

Full Narrative

On March 4, 1996, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N7176G, collided with a tree while executing a go-around at Mathis airstrip, Cummings, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local, personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred about 45 minutes into the flight. The pilot had been conducting practice full-stop takeoffs and landings. He provided the following information: On the second landing, he "ballooned" the airplane when he flared for the touchdown. A go-around was begun, but the airplane's climb performance seemed inadequate, and the flaps were not adjusted. A climb was achieved with insufficient rate to clear rising terrain at the end of the runway. The left wing struck a tree followed by the pilot's loss of consciousness. The airplane's owner submitted a report of the accident in which he stated that the pilot climbed too steeply while the flaps were retracting. According to him, the airplane then started to "mush" and collided with trees and the ground. Information provided by the local sheriff's deputy, who investigated the accident, indicated that the flaps were in the retracted position when the airplane was examined at the accident site following the accident. During post accident examination of the engine, it was mounted on a test stand and operated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EST
Nearest AirportMATHIS (2nm SSW)
Runway21
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150L
Tail NumberN7176G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn S Wheeler
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data