N6213G

Substantial
None

CESSNA 150KS/N: 15071713

Accident Details

Date
Monday, April 27, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA274
Location
Waycross, GA
Event ID
20090429X62952
Coordinates
31.248888, -82.395553
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during approach in gusty conditions. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's misunderstanding of the airspeed indicator.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N6213G
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15071713
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1970
Model / ICAO
150KC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TURVILLE KEITH A
Address
172 SOLANO CAY CIR
Status
Deregistered
City
PONTE VEDRA BEACH
State / Zip Code
FL 32082-2238
Country
United States

Analysis

The student pilot reported that the en route flight conditions of his solo cross-country flight were smooth and the arrival airport traffic pattern was normal. On final approach, a strong windshear pushed the nose of the airplane down when he was approximately 100 feet above ground level, and about 300 feet from the threshold of runway 13. He reduced power and pulled back on the control yoke. The main landing gear impacted sandy soil prior to the runway surface, followed by the nose gear, which dug into the ground and caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane received substantial damage to both wing spars, the firewall, the left elevator, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. He stated the winds were 120 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported 24 hours of total flight experience; of which, 7 hours were solo flight. During a postaccident interview, the pilot discovered he referenced the wrong scale on the airspeed indicator. The outer scale indicated airspeed in mph and the inner scale indicated airspeed in knots. He referenced the outer scale, labeled as mph, which he incorrectly thought was indicating knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA274