BURNT CHIMNEY, VA, USA
N19186
Cessna 150
The pilot observed the winds to be from 250-260 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. He landed approximately 900 feet beyond the approach end of Runway 6, a 1,800 foot long grass runway. The airplane floated, and impacted trees at the end of the runway.
On February 6, 1999, about 1350 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 150, N19186, was destroyed during a landing at Burnt Chimney Airport (70VA), Burnt Chimney, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Blue Ridge Airport (MTV), Martinsville, Virginia. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was attempting to land on Runway 6. The pilot preferred Runway 6 because trees and powerlines were at the approach end of Runway 24. The grass runway was approximately 1,800 feet long, 50 feet wide, and surrounded by trees. The airplane landed approximately 900 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. The pilot stated "I observed the windsock and terrain and estimated the winds to be from 250-260 degrees with velocities of 15 knots gusting to 20+ knots...During the flare, the plane briefly touched down as a [tailwind gust] forced the plane back into the air." The pilot said he knew he would not be able to stop before the end of the runway, so he steered to the right, to avoid a house. The airplane impacted trees at the end of the runway, on the right side. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the right wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to rotate. The propeller struck another tree, and the airplane came to rest at the bottom of an embankment. The Inspector further stated the pilot had a total of 254 hours, all of which were in a Cessna 150. At 1354, winds at an airport about 16 miles to the southeast were recorded as being from 260 degrees magnetic at 19 knots, gusting to 24 knots.
The pilot's decision to land on a short runway with a strong tailwind, and his failure to obtain a proper touchdown point.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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