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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

May 1, 2016 · Cessna 150F · N8619G

Ponca City, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 1, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ponca City, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 150F (1965)
Tail Number
N8619G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN16LA184

The private pilot stated that, during the landing flare at the conclusion of a local flight, the airplane's nose "shot up drastically." The pilot "gently" pressed forward on the controls to lower the nose, and the airplane pitched down and impacted the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that a bolt that attached the left elevator to the control system was not installed, and the FAA inspector reported that the bolt was found undamaged inside the elevator tip. According to the pilot, maintenance personnel had recently removed the left elevator, and it is likely that they failed to properly secure the bolt when they reinstalled the elevator.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel's improper installation of the elevator bolt, which resulted in a loss of elevator control during landing.

Full Narrative

On May 1, 2016, about 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N8619G, experienced a loss of pitch control during landing flare and impacted runway 35 at Ponca City Regional Airport, Ponca City, Oklahoma. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was uninjured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from PNC about 1045. The pilot stated that he performed a "full" preflight inspection of the airplane prior to departing for a pleasure flight. The flight returned without incident for an approach for landing to the airport. During landing flare on runway 35 and about 1-2 feet above runway, the airplane "shot up drastically". The airplane climbed about 10-20 feet, the pilot "gently" applied forward control pressure on the control yoke, and the airplane "instantly" pitched down and impacted the runway. The pilot stated that as he waited for an ambulance, he saw the left elevator was separated from the horizontal stabilizer. An airplane maintenance record entry dated November 9, 2015, shows that an annual inspection had been performed and that the bearing in the elevator bearing crank assembly was "reset" by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. The airplane accumulated about 25 hours of flight time after the annual inspection. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that a bolt that links the left elevator to the control system was missing. The bolt was found inside the left elevator tip. The FAA Inspector reported that there was an improper reinstallation of the elevator, which resulted in it coming loose.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest AirportPonca City Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length7201 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN8619G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 41 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data