Cessna 150G accident near Montgomery, Alabama, May 3, 2003
On May 3, 2003 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Cessna 150G, registered N2938J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Montgomery, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight collision with birds that resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2003 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Montgomery, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150G · all 150Gs on the register
- Registration
- N2938J · no longer on the register · serial 15065738
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight at 4500 feet mean sea level, the airplane collided with a flock of geese and began to vibrate violently. The pilot made the decision to land the airplane and located a field for landing. Upon initial touchdown on the field, the pilot realized that the field was marshy, and rough, and attempted a go-around. The pilot stated he applied full power, but the airplane struggled to climb as the engine produced "2200 RPM, compared to the normal 2500 takeoff RPM." He noticed a clearing to the left of the airplane, and while turning in the direction of the clearing, the landing gear and left wing clipped the trees. The airplane came to rest on the ground about 30 feet beyond the trees, inverted. The pilot transmitted distress calls over the Columbus Approach frequency and the National Guard frequency. A nearby Air National Guard helicopter was directed to the accident location and airlifted the pilot to a nearby hospital. Examination of the airplane revealed the right and left wing spars were buckled. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 201 hours in all; 44 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 175 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 30, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,445 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 31, 2003
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CSG Columbus GA at 6:49 pm
- Destination: MGM Montgomery AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from CSG, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.