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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 30, 2005 · Cessna 150F · N6256R

China, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 30, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
China, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 150F
Tail Number
N6256R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC05CA078

While en route to his destination, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions and elected to perform a precautionary landing to a field, "to avoid flight into IMC." During the landing rollout, the airplane encountered a rut in the soft, rain-soaked field, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the Federal Aviation Administration Montreal Sectional Aeronautical Chart revealed several airports along the pilot's planned route of flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper inflight decision to land in a field instead of a nearby airport, after encountering deteriorating weather conditions. A factor was the deteriorating weather conditions.

Full Narrative

On April 30, 2005, at 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N6256R, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing to a field in China, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Millinocket Municipal Airport (MLT), Millinocket, Maine and was destined for the Berlin Municipal Airport (BML), Berlin, New Hampshire. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while en route to Berlin, he encountered deteriorating weather conditions earlier than anticipated, based on the weather forecast he obtained from television weather reports he obtained earlier in the day. As the visibility decreased, the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing to a field, "to avoid flight into IMC conditions." During the landing rollout, the airplane encountered a rut in the soft, rain-soaked field, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Weather conditions reported at Waterville Airport, Waterville, Maine, 5 miles to the northwest of the accident site, at 1415 included winds from 150 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 14 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken cloud layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 4,900 feet, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Examination of the Federal Aviation Administration Montreal Sectional Aeronautical Chart revealed several airports along the pilot's planned route of flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN6256R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 79 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 7 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data