N2977V

On October 10, 1999, at 1709 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N2977V, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 30 (4,397 X 50, dry/asphalt) at the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, Wheeling, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The local flight departed the Palwaukee Municipal Airport at 1700.

According to the pilot's written statement, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings by means of, "full-stop taxi-backs". The pilot reported that during the takeoffs and landings, prior to the accident, the winds were 300-320 degrees magnetic at a velocity of 12 knots. The pilot stated that during the last approach to the runway, the wind velocity and direction changed, "dramatically". The pilot reported that, "when over the runway, in very gusty winds, I was able to hold centerline, but could not stabilize the aircraft well enough to touchdown." The pilot stated that he applied full power for a go-around and contacted the control tower of his intentions. The pilot reported that he, "Retracted the flaps incrementally...held full power, but airspeed would not climb above 46 knots." The pilot stated that he flew in level flight for a couple of seconds before realizing that he would not clear the airport's perimeter fence. The pilot reported that he landed, with full power applied, rolled over a taxiway when the nose-wheel collapsed and the airplane slid to a rest.

An automated surface observing system (ASOS), located on the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, reported the wind direction and intensity 4 minutes prior to the accident as 340-degrees at 12 knots. The same weather observation system reported the wind direction and intensity 1 minute after the accident as 020-degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots.