Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150J near Indian Trail, NC — 2012-12-20

Final reportERA13LA095
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Date
2012-12-20
Location
Indian Trail, NC, USA
Airport
28A
Aircraft
CESSNA 150J
Registration
N50757
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate glidepath and airspeed control during short final approach and the airplane’s improper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, while returning to his home base airport, the airplane had an electrical power failure, and, subsequently, the flaps would not fully extend. The airplane was high and fast on short final approach, and it touched down about 300 to 400 feet from the departure end of the runway. The flight instructor was unable to stop the airplane, and it overran the runway, went down an embankment, and collided with trees. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of an electrical power failure. The battery was checked with a battery meter, and the battery held a charge. Control continuity was established for all of the flight controls. The flaps were operated with battery power only, and full up and down travel was achieved. An examination of the brakes revealed that they operated normally. No other anomalies were noted with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have initiated a go-around instead of continuing the approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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