Cessna 150L N150RZ accident near Sussex, New Jersey

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around attempt in a gusting left crosswind, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was performing a solo, cross-country flight. As he approached his destination airport, he checked the weather and reported that there were “no winds.” He set up for an approach to runway 3 since another airplane in the traffic pattern had completed an approach to the same runway. He flew the final approach at 70 mph. As he crossed the runway threshold, the airplane was about 5 feet to the right of centerline. He attempted to correct with left rudder; however, the airplane continued to drift to the right. He was no longer over the runway surface, so he elected to perform a go-around. He added full throttle and pushed on the yoke. The stall warning horn immediately activated, the airplane lost all lift, rotated to the left, and collided with the ground. The left wing hit the ground first, followed by the nose. The pilot egressed the airplane with minor injuries. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration reported substantial damage to both wings and the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Airport surveillance video captured the event and was consistent with the pilot’s account. Although the pilot reported calm wind, recorded weather at the airport before and immediately after the accident indicated a gusting left crosswind.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA182 for the full record.