Cessna 150M accident near Niceville, Florida, July 17, 1998
On July 17, 1998 at about 8:40 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N704YG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Niceville, Florida (Ruckel airport). It was an other work-use 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
Proper touchdown point not attained. Factors were a tailwind and wet grass.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 1998 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Niceville, Florida · Ruckel · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N704YG · no longer on the register · serial 15078974
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, after an uneventful banner towing flight, he turned final approach, released the banner in tow, reduced power on the aircraft, full flaps were implemented and the airspeed was decreased to 60 KIAS. He said a tailwind decreased the lift of the aircraft causing firm impact with the ground, high ground speed and 'hydroplaning' on the wet grass surface. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and collided with two trees located at the south end of the airstrip.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 650 hours in all; 232 in this make and model; 129 in the last 90 days; 113 in the last 30 days; 536 as pilot in command; 153 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,766 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 26, 1998; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FL17 at 7:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from VPS, 5 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.