N8893S

Substantial
Minor

Cessna 150FS/N: 15062193

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, April 22, 2007
NTSB Number
CHI07CA111
Location
Paw Paw, MI
Event ID
20070507X00521
Coordinates
42.257778, -85.852775
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while on final approach. Contributing factors to the accident were the gusting wind conditions and the trees.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N8893S
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15062193
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1965
Model / ICAO
150FC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TAPPER DAVID F
Address
45439 COUNTY ROAD 665
Status
Deregistered
City
PAW PAW
State / Zip Code
MI 49079-9608
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane impacted trees and terrain while on final approach. The pilot stated that he was landing on a private grass airstrip toward the north. The pilot described the weather as a "clear day, but with high winds." The pilot reported that while on final approach he encountered "wind shear straight down." The pilot stated that the airplane "clipped the tree tops" before impacting terrain. The pilot reported the airplane came to rest along a tree line near the west edge of the north-south runway. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had not attempted flight in the high/gusting wind conditions or by entering final approach at a higher altitude. The wind conditions at an airport approximately 15 nautical miles from the accident site were reported to be from 200 magnetic degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot's medical and student pilot certificate had expired 20 months prior to the accident. The pilot's most recent 90-day solo endorsement was dated September 17, 2003.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA111