Morrilton, AR, USA
N6973S
Cessna 150H
The 80-hour pilot reported that during final approach on a night flight, the airplane "experienced a gust of wind" and drifted to the left of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed on the grass area adjacent to the runway, bounced, and became airborne. The pilot stated that because he was not sure of the remaining distance to the tree line on the departure end of the runway, he decided to perform a soft field landing on the grass adjacent to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a drainage ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A weather reporting station 20 nautical miles west of the accident site reported 37 minutes prior to the accident wind calm and clear sky. The pilot added that other than the "wind gust" experienced on final approach, the wind was calm at the time of the accident. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department, three percent the moons visible disc was illuminated.
On June 8, 2005, approximately 2230 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 150H airplane, N6973S, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during landing at the Morrilton Municipal Airport (BDQ) near Morrilton, Arkansas. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from BDQ at 2200. During a telephone interview conducted by a representative of the NTSB, the 80-hour pilot reported that as the airplane crossed over the approach end of runway 9 (4,000-foot long and 50-foot wide asphalt runway, equipped with medium intensity runway lights), the airplane "experienced a gust of wind" and drifted to the left." Subsequently, the airplane landed on the grass area adjacent to the runway, bounced, and became airborne again. The pilot stated that because he was not sure of the amount of remaining distance to the tree line on the departure end of the runway, he decided to perform a soft field landing on the grass adjacent to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a drainage ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. The fuselage, aft of the cabin area, was also bent and twisted. At 2153, the Automated Surface Observation System at the Russellville Regional Airport (RUE), near Russellville, Arkansas, located approximately 20 nautical miles west of BDQ, reported wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.86 inches of Mercury. The pilot stated that other than the "wind gust" experienced on final approach, the wind was calm at the time of the accident. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department, three percent the moons visible disc was illuminated.
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during landing. A contributing factor was the dark night lighting condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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