N8524J

On March 31, 1999, about 1230 Eastern Standing Time, a Cessna 150, N8524J, was substantially damaged during a landing at the Saint Mary's County Airport (2W6), Leonardtown, Maryland. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91.

According to the pilot, he was performing solo takeoffs and landing to Runway 29 at 2W6. He stated that while in the landing flare, "there was no wind, and then two wind shears from the left." The second shear forced the right main landing gear to contact the runway, and a "porpoise" ensued. The front landing gear collapsed and the propeller struck the runway. The pilot exited the airplane, and approximately 3 minutes later, observed "the airplane on fire." The pilot stated that the flight was his fourth solo flight. He had approximately 29 hours of flight experience, including 3 hours of solo flight experience.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The Inspector stated that the front landing gear was separated from the airplane, and the fuel line was severed from the gasculator bowl. He further stated that the exhaust pipe was in the vicinity of the severed fuel line.

The airport did not have weather reporting capabilities. The pilot reported the wind from 230 degrees at 10 knots. At 1155, at an airport approximately 7 miles away, wind was reported from 210 degrees and 9 knots.