Accident Details
On July 8, 2020, at 1554 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150H airplane, registration N22393, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain near Vaughan Ranch Airfield (WN13) in Port Orchard, Washington. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed Bremerton National Airport (PWT) and flew east before entering the traffic pattern at WN13. Three witnesses observed portions of the flight near the airport. They described the final approach as unstable, high, and fast. The airplane continued its descent, and when it was about one-quarter of the way down the runway, it disappeared from view behind a berm. None of the witnesses could see whether the pilot attempted a go-around or conducted a touch-and-go landing.
A few seconds later, the airplane reappeared at about 30 ft above ground level. The engine sounded as if it was at full power, and the flaps were still extended. The airplane appeared to be flying slowly and struggling to climb, as if it was "hanging onto a stall." The airplane then began a right bank toward rising terrain and trees. The bank angle increased, and the airplane struck the trees in a "knife edge" attitude before dropping to the ground.
Airport Information
One witness, a retired airline pilot, reported that the airport has "very tight margins" and is a one-way airport. The north end of the runway is 50 ft higher than the south end, so landings are limited to the north (uphill) and takeoffs to the south. He stated that go-arounds are very difficult in all but high-performance aircraft. The airport facilities directory for WN13 includes the remarks "Land North takeoff south" and "Landing north uphill."
Pilot Background
The pilot did not recall the accident flight. According to the airplane's mechanic, the pilot had flown this airplane into WN13 about four times a year for the past 15 years and was familiar with the airport.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane came to rest nose down and slightly left-wing low in a residential backyard. The cabin remained mostly intact and was extending upward from the engine compartment. Both wings remained attached to the airframe and exhibited crush damage. The leading edge of the left wing came to rest in the dirt and showed aft crush damage throughout its span. The fuselage just aft of the cabin was crushed toward the left, and the aft fuselage and empennage were bent about 90° to the left. The empennage exhibited some damage but was overall intact.
Examination
A postaccident airframe and engine examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.