Cessna 150 accident near Roundup, Montana, July 30, 2019
On July 30, 2019 at about 2:40 am local time, a 1976 Cessna 150, registered CGEYP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Roundup, Montana (Roundup airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot ‘s failure to maintain an adequate altitude above the trees while maneuvering to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 2019 · about 2:40 am local time
- Place
- Roundup, Montana · Roundup · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 M, built 1976 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- CGEYP · no longer on the register · serial 15078027
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross-county flight, the pilot arrived at his planned destination near sunset and was maneuvering to land. While maneuvering, the airplane struck a stand of trees and subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine was “running fine” and that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine also revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 475 in this make and model; 550 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,598 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 3,600 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9D2 Harding SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07/2, 5,099 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 am from KBIL, 40 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBIL 300253Z 13007KT 10SM FEW110 SCT180 28/11 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP108 CB DSNT SW NW SHRA DSNT SW-NW T02830111 55003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 18, 2022. 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 | Airframe and Engine Examination Summary Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Accident Pictures | PDF, 2 pages | 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.