1 Feb 2016: CESSNA 150 F — Ronald O. Holcomb, LLC.

1 Feb 2016: CESSNA 150 F — Ronald O. Holcomb, LLC.

No fatalities • Lapeer, MI, United States

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to achieve an adequate climb rate while turning to avoid obstacles during an aborted landing, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, collision with terrain, and a nose over.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The owner of the airplane reported that the solo student pilot told him that the airplane "bounced upon touchdown." He further reported that the solo student pilot executed a "go-around," and "determined the climb out rate was insufficient to clear the trees and the airspeed and altitude were insufficient to permit a safe course adjustment to avoid the tree line." The airplane touched down on a field with "plowed soft soil," the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.

The owner did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • cause Climb rate — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 260/07kt, vis 10sm

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