Cessna 150M accident near Waterloo, New York, July 29, 2014
On July 29, 2014 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1974 Cessna 150M, registered N66358, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Waterloo, New York (Airtrek airport). 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 pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions while on approach to the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2014 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Waterloo, New York · Airtrek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M, built 1974 · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N66358 · no longer on the register · serial 15075993
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to departing on the flight, the pilot referenced the Airport/Facility Directory and noted that one of the runways at the destination airport had a displaced threshold. He subsequently departed, and entered the traffic pattern to land on the 2,275-foot turf runway 28, approaching the end with the displaced threshold. The pilot became concerned with the runway's relatively short length, and on final approach, increased the airplane's descent angle in order to use as much of the runway as possible. While on short final approach, the pilot suddenly observed marked power lines that ran perpendicular to the runway, across the threshold, and immediately thereafter one of the main landing gear wheels struck the wire. The airplane then yawed to the left and pitched nose-down. The pilot attempted to correct the upset, but the airplane subsequently struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The power lines were depicted in airport information.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 148.6 hours in all; 139.6 in this make and model; 16.7 in the last 90 days; 4.5 in the last 30 days; 66 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 11, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,522 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2014; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 12,522 hours total
- Operator: Bux Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: NK74 Aurora NY at 4:15 pm
- Destination: D93 Waterloo NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,275 ft by 85 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,500 ft; ovct at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KPEO, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Interview Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 2 - Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 3 - Wires at Runway Threshold (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 4 - Runway from Threshold (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.