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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

December 16, 1997 · Cessna 150M · N3820V

Sidney, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 16, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sidney, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N3820V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA065

The student pilot called for a wind check and misunderstood the velocity for 7 knots when it was actually 17 knots. He reported that on takeoff rotation the nose and left wing went 'straight up.' He decided to abort the landing and to use another runway. Once on the ground the airplane veered off the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing contacted the terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind which resulted in a loss of directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the misunderstood radio communication, and the rough terrain which the airplane encountered.

Full Narrative

On December 16, 1997, at 1300 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N3820V, operated by a student pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control during takeoff on runway 30 (6,601' x 100') at the Sidney Municipal Airport, Sidney, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The pilot reported that he called for a wind check prior to departure. He reported he was informed that the winds were "220 at seventeen", but at the time he mistook the velocity for "seven" instead of seventeen. The pilot stated, "When I rotated the left wing and the nose went straight up." He reported that he leveled the airplane and decided to abort the takeoff in order to use another runway. The pilot reported that upon touchdown the airplane began to skid from left to right off the runway. He reported the nose gear separated from the airplane, it tipped up and the right wing caught the terrain.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MST
Nearest AirportSidney Municipal (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length6601 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN3820V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data