Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Naples, ME — 2013-03-02

Final reportERA13LA151
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Date
2013-03-02
Location
Naples, ME, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N3438J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper decision to land on a frozen lake.

NTSB narrative

For the solo instructional flight, the student pilot had obtained an endorsement from his flight instructor to fly from the departure airport to the destination airport. During the flight, the student pilot decided to make an unauthorized stop and land on a frozen lake to visit a friend. Upon touchdown on the lake, which was covered in a layer of slush and snow, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have avoided landing on the lake without proper endorsement.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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