Casualties unknown

2003-01-11: Cessna 150K (N5629G) — Everglades City, FL

Everglades City, FL, US

On January 11, 2003, a Cessna 150K (registration N5629G) was involved in an aviation accident near Everglades City, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The instructor's failure to maintain airspeed during climb after lift off from an aborted landing, resulting in the airplane stalling, entering a spin, and crashing into water at the departure end of the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An instructor and student pilot provided differing accounts of an accident during a training flight. Witnesses also described a hard landing and subsequent collision with runway lights before the aircraft crashed into water. The instructor reported no mechanical difficulties.

Instructor Account

The instructor stated that the student was on a stable approach to runway 33. When crossing the runway threshold, the student brought the power to idle and immediately entered the landing flare. The airplane contacted the runway and bounced. The student advanced the throttle to initiate a go-around, and the airplane pitched up and banked approximately 10 degrees to the left. At this time the instructor took control of the aircraft, and with both the student and instructor on the controls, the airplane banked right toward the runway. The student then let go of the controls. The aircraft continued to the right off the runway and impacted runway edge lights. The instructor continued the go-around, raised the wing flaps, and checked that the carburetor heat was off. The airplane was airborne off the end of the runway but performance was poor. To avoid trees beyond the water inlet off the departure end, the instructor initiated a shallow left turn and ditched the airplane in the water. The right wheel impacted the water and rotated the airplane about 180 degrees.

Student Account

The dual student stated he was in the left seat. They approached runway 33 and landed hard. The airplane then ended up in the grass and the instructor took control of the airplane. The instructor got the airplane flying again and they climbed to about 100 feet. The engine was at full power. The airplane stalled, rolled to the right, and nosed down. The airplane then hit the water left wing and left side first.

Witness Accounts

Witnesses stated the airplane landed hard and bounced into the air. The airplane touched down again while in a nose high attitude and full engine power was added. The airplane then ran off the right side of the runway and collided with runway lights and a sign. The elevator remained in the full nose up position and engine power remained at full power. The airplane lifted off and climbed to about 60-100 feet. The airplane then stalled and entered a spin to the right. After about 1/4 turn in a spin, the airplane crashed into the water.

Mechanical Status

The instructor stated they had no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030115X00066. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.