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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

October 2, 1998 · Cessna 150M · N9273U

Wiley Ford, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wiley Ford, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N9273U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA001

Just as the airplane touched down on runway 23, there was momentary increase in the wind velocity. The pilot failed to maintain directional control and the airplane departed the runway and nosed over. The pilot with a total time of about 200 hours had a break of several years in his flying and had recently received 10 hours of dual instruction. This was his first solo flight following the dual instruction flights. The winds which had been from 270 degrees at less than 5 knots, increased to 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots for about a 5 minute period and then returned to their previous value. The FAA reported the higher winds were not forecast and only lasted about 5 minutes. The crosswind component of a 20 knot wind, 40 degrees from the runway was computed at 13 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Was the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during an unforecast change in wind velocity. Factors were the gusts and the lack of recent experience for the pilot.

Full Narrative

On October 2, 1998, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N9273U, was substantially damaged while landing at the Greater Cumberland Airport, Wiley Ford, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), reported that the pilot had not flown for several years, and had received 10 hours of dual instruction to regain proficiency. The accident flight was the first solo flight following the dual instruction. The pilot had remained in the traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landing on runway 23. In a written statement, the pilot reported: "...On nearing the runway I looked at the weather vane which was pointed across the runway with the tail virtually relaxed. There was no indication of significant wind at that time. The landing approach seemed stable. I may have flared out a little high because the airplane did not settle down as I had expected it to. I touched down on the runway, slight to the left of center, rebounded perhaps 4 to 5 feet. I put the nose over to correct, and added some power. Before those actions could take effect I felt the wind push the aircraft almost to the edge of the runway and the right wing raised up. The next contact with the runway was firmly on the nose wheel and the airplane went off the runway to the left, ran over a runway light fixture and the overturned...." The FAA Inspector further added that the winds were forecast to remain light and all airplanes were using runway 23. A check of the recorded weather at the airport revealed the winds had been less than 5 knots all day long. A 5 minute period was found where the winds were from 270 degrees with peak gusts of about 20 knots, which occurred during the time the pilot was landing. Following the gusts, the winds returned to their lower previous value. Computations revealed that a 40 degree crosswind of 20 knots would have a cross wind component of 13 knots. According to the Cessna 150M Owners Manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind was 13 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest AirportGreater Cumberland Arpt (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length5048 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN9273U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 12 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data