Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, which resulted in a ground collision with terrain, and subsequent collapse of the nose gear.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 13, 2003, at 1220 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N2970S, registered to and owned by a commercial pilot, nose gear collapsed during a precautionary landing on a golf course near Morris, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed a private grass strip in Morris, Alabama, at 1150 on May 13, 2003.
The pilot reported that after a few minutes of flying, he noticed a serge in engine RPM and he heard a loud squeal in his headset. Instead of attempting a return to the departure airport, the pilot decided to attempt a precautionary landing on a golf course near his home. During the landing rollout the nose wheel collided with a dip in the surface and collapsed.
Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear collapsed, the engine mounts were broke and the firewall was damaged. Examination of the flight control system revealed no mechanical malfunctions.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL03LA096