Cessna 150M accident near Glasco, Kansas, May 31, 2010
On May 31, 2010 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N9388U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Glasco, Kansas (Palmer Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delay in applying full power to arrest a sink rate at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2010 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Glasco, Kansas · Palmer Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N9388U · no longer on the register · serial 15078336
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot wanted to take some photographs of a building on his farm. It was a "hot (85 to 88 degrees) humid day." He made one pass to the north before turning around to the south. On the second pass at reduced power, the airplane began to settle towards the ground from about 200 feet. He added power but the airplane's wheels contacted wheat on rising terrain. From 95 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed), the "drag was instant." Despite full power and full back elevator, the airplane struck the top of an incline, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High temperature › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all; 127 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 2,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 19, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,609 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 19, 2009; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Glasco KS at 9:30 pm
- Destination: NONE Glasco KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from CNK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.