Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150H near Kent, WA — 2012-04-07

Final reportWPR12LA160
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Date
2012-04-07
Location
Kent, WA, USA
Airport
S36
Aircraft
CESSNA 150H
Registration
N6616S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was on a personal cross-country flight to visit friends and that he had intended to land at a private uncontrolled airstrip; however, he did not recall the events leading up to the accident. A witness in the area reported hearing an unusual sound that drew his attention to the airplane. He observed the airplane flying about 20 ft above the ground in a 90-degree, right-wing-low attitude when it collided with trees. The airplane came to rest inverted about midfield of the airstrip on a street adjacent to the airstrip in a residential neighborhood. A postaccident airframe and engine examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that, while the pilot was maneuvering the airplane on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for the destination airstrip, he failed to maintain control and subsequently collided with trees.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained altitude and control before colliding with trees.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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