On April 21, 1987, a Cessna 150J (registration N60282) operated by Tri-county Flight School was involved in an aviation accident near Longmont, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to flare properly during the landing approach, which resulted in a nose-gear collapse and subsequent propeller contact with the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot practicing landings on a supervised solo flight failed to flare correctly, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the runway.
What happened
A student pilot was conducting her second supervised solo training flight, specifically focusing on landing procedures. During the initial approach, the pilot failed to execute a proper flare maneuver. This error resulted in the aircraft touching down in a three-point attitude rather than a main-gear-first sequence.
The impact caused the nose gear to collapse immediately. As the aircraft continued its forward momentum, the propeller struck the runway surface. The aircraft skidded approximately 25 feet down the runway before coming to a complete stop. A fire ignited almost instantly after the collision and consumed most of the wreckage.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to flare properly during the landing approach, which resulted in a nose-gear collapse and subsequent propeller contact with the runway.
What happened in the 21 Apr 1987 Cessna 150J accident near Longmont, CO?
A student pilot practicing landings on a supervised solo flight failed to flare correctly, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Apr 1987 involved a Cessna 150J, registration N60282, operated by Tri-county Flight School, at Longmont, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to flare properly during the landing approach, which resulted in a nose-gear collapse and subsequent propeller contact with the runway.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…