N11303

On July 16, 1996, at 1530 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 150L, N11303, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it cartwheeled after its left wingtip collided with the ground during a go-around on runway 25 (2,805' X 39' dry asphalt) at the Roy Otten Memorial Airfield, Versailles, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating on a VFR flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Lee's Summitt, Missouri, at 1430 cdt.

The pilot's said his airplane was on final approach when he extended 15 degrees of flaps. His written statement said his airplane "...was still fast and running out of runway" when he did an aborted landing. The pilot said he "...applied full throttle, and pull[ed] back on [the] yoke. Plane went down and to left."

During an interview with the pilot on July 17, 1996, he said his final approach was too low and fast. He said the airplane banked left after he added full power. He said a gusty crosswind existed at the time he was landing. The pilot said he did not see a wind sock and had no idea where the wind was coming from.

When asked how he would judge his final approach path the pilot responded by saying he would use the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light system. He added that the runway did not have a VASI system. When asked how he would judge his final approach path without the VASI aid, he responded, "By feel, I guess."

A witness to the accident said he saw N11303 on a high final approach for runway 25. This witness said the winds were from the southwest at between 5 and 8 miles per hour. He said the airplane had full flaps extended and was about 100 to 200 feet above the runway threshold as it passed over it. He said the airplane's pitch attitude was less than a level flight attitude and that he heard no engine noise. The witness said the airplane was about 2/3 to 3/4 the way down the runway before it attempted to go around. He then heard the engine power increase and saw the airplane pitch up, stall, and roll to the left. N11303's wingtip struck the ground followed by a cartwheel maneuver according to this witness.

The on-scene investigation revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal flight. The airport has a wind sock and wind tetrahedron at runway 25's midfield location.