On 29 Aug 2009, a CESSNA 150F operated by Estol L. Bathurst was involved in an aviation accident near Abilene, KS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate crosswind landing technique, resulting in an excessive side load on the left landing gear that led to an overload failure of its axle. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a landing on runway 35 with an 8 mph north-northeast wind, a student pilot failed to lower the right wing into the wind. The wind raised the right wing, the airplane swerved east, the left wheel broke off, and the nose dropped, buckling the firewall.
Accident Sequence
According to the student pilot, the landing was being conducted on runway 35. The wind was from the north-northeast at 8 miles per hour. The pilot reported that he failed to lower the right wing into the wind. Consequently, the wind raised the right wing while he was applying left rudder. The airplane then swerved to the east. During the swerve, the left wheel separated from the axle. The nose of the aircraft then dropped, and the impact with the ground caused the firewall to buckle.
Aircraft and Inspection
The airplane involved was a Cessna 150F that had been equipped with a tailwheel conversion. After the incident, inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the aircraft. Their inspection revealed that the left axle displayed a fracture surface consistent with an overload failure. No other mechanical anomalies were reported.