Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL01LA087

Lake City, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N8374G

Cessna 150F

Analysis

On final approach at a private grass airstrip, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree branch at 30 feet above ground level. The pilot continued the approach, and the airplane touched down nosegear-first, then flipped inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear was separated, and the vertical stabilizer and left wing spar were damaged. No evidence of previous mechanical defects was discovered.

Factual Information

On July 20, 2001, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N8374G, registered to a private owner, impacted trees during an attempted landing on a private grass strip in Lake City, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight departed a different private grass strip in Branford, Florida, at 1000. According to witnesses, the pilot had recently cleared a grass strip in the pilot's back yard, which is approximately 1000 feet long. After making five passes over the new strip, the pilot attempted a short-field landing. On final approach, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree branch at 30 feet above ground level. The pilot continued the approach, and the airplane touched down on the nose gear, then flipped inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear was separated, and the vertical stabilizer and left wing spar were damaged. No evidence of previous mechanical defects was discovered, and the pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilots failure to maintain clearance during an approach to land, that resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports