Cessna 150 accident near Pink Hill, North Carolina, August 23, 2023
On August 23, 2023 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna 150, registered N8474J, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Pink Hill, North Carolina (Howard 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 inadequate compensation for prevailing wind conditions during the landing approach, which resulted in the airplane contacting the ground short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 23, 2023 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pink Hill, North Carolina · Howard Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 G, built 1967 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N8474J · registry record · serial 15066374
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot and mechanic were performing at flight following the completion of an annual inspection. After takeoff the pilot flew in the airport traffic pattern, departed the area, then elected to return. While on final approach to land, when the airplane was about 30 ft from the runway threshold, the pilot stated that the airplane was struck by a downdraft. He reported briefly hearing the stall warning horn but did not recall if he applied power and stated he likely froze and did not respond. The airplane struck the ground short of the runway in a bean field, collided with a ditch, then nosed over coming to rest inverted on the runway. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Landing area undershoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 160 hours in all; 3 in the last 90 days; 160 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 20, 1993
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,369 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 14, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 5,369 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 2,800 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:25 pm from KDPL, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDPL 232025Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM CLR 30/12 A3004 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on December 7, 2023. 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 | Record of NTSB Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of FAA Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Initial Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpts from Pilot Logbook | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | FAA Inspector Statements | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.