Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 150L, N21979; accident occurred September 12, 2019 at General Dewitt Spain Airport (M01), Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee

View of airplane in grass adjacent to the runway.

View of damaged engine mounts.

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Memphis, Tennessee

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: 

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N21979

Location: Memphis, TN
Accident Number: GAA19CA543
Date & Time: 09/12/2019, 0845 CDT
Registration: N21979
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis

The student pilot reported that, during landing, she flared early, and the airplane skipped during touchdown. The airplane drifted right, the flight instructor took the flight controls, but the airplane continued right. The airplane then lifted off about midfield, then "pancaked and spun" and came to rest in the grass to the right of the runway.

The flight instructor reported that he was a new flight instructor. He added that, while the student pilot was landing, the approach was high and slow as the airplane crossed the threshold. He added that she flared "very high," he attempted to instruct her how to recover, but she unexpectedly "pitched up further." He took control of the airplane, applied full power, retracted flaps, and attempted a go around. The airplane was struggling to stay airborne and he was concerned the airplane might impact some construction cranes beyond the end of the runway, so he attempted to turn right. The airplane impacted the ground to the right of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and engine mounts.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The student pilot's improper landing flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.

Findings

Aircraft Landing flare - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot

Personnel issues Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Miscellaneous/other

Landing Abnormal runway contact

Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Landing Attempted remediation/recovery

Approach-VFR go-around Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/21/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/13/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 23000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 143 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 77.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 57, Female
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/12/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N21979
Model/Series: 150 L
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 15074585
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-200-A
Registered Owner: Vinson, Randall L.
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMEM, 332 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1354 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 159°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 170°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.17 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Memphis, TN (M01)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Memphis, TN (M01)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0830 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: GENERAL DEWITT SPAIN (M01)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 224 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3800 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 35.201111, -90.053889 (est)