Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA09CA225

Brunswick, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N1505Q

CESSNA 150L

Analysis

The student pilot stated that he was conducting a solo flight to practice landings and remained in the traffic pattern for Runway 22. Prior to his initial takeoff, he obtained a weather report that specified a wind speed of 8 knots. After two touch-and-gos, he obtained another weather advisory, which reported the wind from 270 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. He set up for his third landing, making his approach at 85 knots to account for the gust factor. After touching down at approximately 55 knots, a gust of wind lifted the airplane 10 to 15 feet in the air. The airplane then stalled and the recovery was not successful from that low of an altitude. The airplane contacted the runway in a nose-low attitude, damaging the firewall and propeller, and collapsing the nose landing gear. The student pilot's logbook was endorsed for solo flight with the limitation that flights be conducted in crosswind conditions not to exceed 10 knots.

Factual Information

The student pilot stated that he was conducting a solo flight to practice landings and remained in the traffic pattern for runway 22. Prior to his initial takeoff, he obtained a weather report that specified a wind speed of 8 knots. After two touch-and-gos, he obtained another weather advisory, which reported the wind from 270 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. He set up for his third landing, making his approach at 85 knots to account for the gust factor. After touching down at approximately 55 knots, a gust of wind lifted the airplane 10 to 15 feet in the air. The airplane then stalled and the recovery was not successful from that low of an altitude. The airplane contacted the runway in a nose low attitude; damaging the firewall, collapsing the nose landing gear, and the propeller struck the runway. The student pilot's logbook was endorsed for solo flight with the limitation that flights be conducted in crosswind conditions not to exceed 10 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusting crosswinds.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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