Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's failure to properly recover from a bounced landing, and his failure to compensate for wind conditions and maintain directional control during the landing rollout. Contributing to the accident were gusty crosswinds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the landing, the airplane bounced twice, drifted off the side of the runway, and nosed over. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. Gusty crosswinds prevailed at the time of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 4, 1994, about 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, N3164X, a Cessna 150, operated by the owner/pilot, nosed over during landing in Florence, Oregon, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed Bandon, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the airplane was found upside down off the west side of runway 33 at the Florence Municipal airport. An examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear was bent aft, the vertical stabilizer was crushed, and the left wing was deformed. No mechanical malfunctions were found. According to the pilot, the wind sock was "... indicating a [northeast] wind [at] 10 to 15 MPH," as he was on final approach. The airplane then encountered a "short time disturbance" in the wind just prior to flaring for landing. The airplane then "... dropped... took two high bounces, angled off runway, did a slow flip..." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions. -