Cessna 150M accident near La Fayette, Georgia, June 4, 1999
On June 4, 1999 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N3773V, was substantially damaged in an accident near La Fayette, Georgia (Barwick Lafayette Airport). It was an instructional 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 improper flare by the student pilot and the inadequate supervision by the pilot in command.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 1999 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- La Fayette, Georgia · Barwick Lafayette Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N3773V · registry record · serial 15076618
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot in command (PIC) stated that the purpose of the flight was for the aircraft owner, a student pilot, to follow him through on the flight controls. The flight departed, and the PIC performed 2 landings, flew to a nearby city, then returned to the departure airport and entered the traffic pattern. While on final approach with the flaps fully extended, the PIC was manipulating the throttle control and the student was manipulating the flight controls. The student reportedly flared too high and the PIC advised the student of this who then pushed forward on the control column. The airplane then impacted the runway in a nose low attitude. The PIC further stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls or the engine. The student stated that he does not recall pushing forward on the control column but did state that he did not hear the stall warning horn. According to the airplane owner, postaccident investigation revealed that the stall warning horn operated satisfactory.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 200 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,709 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 24, 1998; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 9A5 at 1:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 2, 4,250 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from CHA, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.