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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

June 3, 1998 · Cessna 150G · N3731J

Selbyville, DE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Selbyville, DE
Aircraft
Cessna 150G
Tail Number
N3731J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD98LA067

According to the pilot, when he picked up a banner, a gust of wind caught the left wing and banked the airplane to the right. Despite his efforts of applying left rudder and left aileron, the airplane continued to the right, into the tree line that surrounded the grass strip. He dropped the banner and tried to climb, but the airplane descended into the trees, and impacted the ground. The closest weather reporting station about 10 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind at the time of the accident as 310 degrees at 12 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots. The pilot said that he estimated the wind speed to be 15 knots with wind gusts to 25 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. High, gusting winds were contributing factors.

Full Narrative

On June 3, 1998, at 1637 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3731J, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a banner pick-up from a private grass strip near Selbyville, Delaware. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The banner towing flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, when he picked up a banner, a gust of wind caught the left wing and banked the airplane to the right. Despite his efforts of applying left rudder and left aileron, the airplane continued to the right, into the tree line that surrounded the grass strip. He dropped the banner and tried to climb, but the airplane descended into the trees, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported over 313 hours of total flight experience including 130 hours in make and model. He had over 50 hours of banner towing experience. The closest weather reporting station about 10 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind at the time of the accident as 310 degrees at 12 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots. The pilot said that he estimated the wind speed to be 15 knots with wind gusts to 25 knots. He said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:37 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway36
Runway Length2010 ft
Runway Width115 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150G
Tail NumberN3731J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · L-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data