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NTSB Report
November 15, 1991 · Cessna 150 · N3072V
Portsmouth, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Portsmouth, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N3072V
Operator
William P O Donnell
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO92LA009
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PREPARING TO PRACTICE FULL STOP LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 20. HE WAS ON HIS FIRST LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED THAT HE FLEW A STABILIZED 62 MPH FINAL APPROACH SPEED WITH FULL FLAPS AND ENOUGH POWER TO STAY ON GLIDE PATH. HE STATED THAT HE REDUCED TO IDLE POWER AS THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED THE THRESHOLD. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN, FOLLOWED BY A SECOND BOUNCE WHICH CAUSED THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL ADDING ANY POWER OR ADJUSTING THE PITCH TO THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN ATTITUDE. THE CLUB'S CHIEF CFI STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SOME VERTICAL WIND SHEAR DURING FINAL AND ON TOUCHDOWN. THE APPROACH END OF THIS RUNWAY IS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND THERE IS ALWAYS TURBULENCE IN THE VICINITY ACCORDING TO THE CFI. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE ATTITUDE DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PREPARING TO PRACTICE FULL STOP LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 20. HE WAS ON HIS FIRST LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED THAT HE FLEW A STABILIZED 62 MPH FINAL APPROACH SPEED WITH FULL FLAPS AND ENOUGH POWER TO STAY ON GLIDE PATH. HE STATED THAT HE REDUCED TO IDLE POWER AS THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED THE THRESHOLD. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN, FOLLOWED BY A SECOND BOUNCE WHICH CAUSED THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL ADDING ANY POWER OR ADJUSTING THE PITCH TO THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN ATTITUDE. THE CLUB'S CHIEF CFI STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SOME VERTICAL WIND SHEAR DURING FINAL AND ON TOUCHDOWN. THE APPROACH END OF THIS RUNWAY IS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND THERE IS ALWAYS TURBULENCE IN THE VICINITY ACCORDING TO THE CFI. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EST
Nearest AirportHampton Roads (0nm)
Runway2
Runway Length3524 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN3072V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam P O Donnell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC