Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC05CA062

Mitchellville, MD, USA

Aircraft #1

N11965

Cessna 150L

Analysis

During landing on runway 36, as the airplane was settling onto the runway, a gust of wind elevated the airplane approximately 20 feet. The pilot then added power, and the right wing lifted "radically," causing the left wing to impact the runway. The airplane came to rest against an embankment on the left side of the runway. The pilot estimated the winds to be from the east at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. He also reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Factual Information

On March 19, 2005, at 1215 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150L, N11965, was substantially damaged while landing at Freeway Airport (WOO), Mitchellville, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 36, and he estimated the winds were from the east at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. He stated that during his eighth landing, he had 40 degrees of flaps and was settling onto the runway when a gust of wind elevated the airplane approximately 20 feet. The pilot then added power, and the right wing lifted "radically," causing the left wing to impact the runway. The airplane came to rest against an embankment on the left side of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He also reported 260 hours of total flight experience, 75 of which were in make and model of the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the gusty wind conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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