CHI00LA008

Factual narrative

On October 13, 1999, at 0820 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N7941F, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during a go around from runway 26 (3,900 feet X 75 feet, dry/asphalt) at East Troy Municipal Airport, East Troy, Wisconsin. The local solo instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot sustained no injuries. The flight originated from East Troy Municipal Airport at 0735. The pilot was performing crosswind takeoffs and landings at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot said that he checked weather and preflighted the airplane at 0715. He stated that he departed runway 26 to practice crosswind takeoffs and landings. He said that he completed two full stop landings. The pilot stated that he aborted the third and that he realized the winds had "...picked up somewhat with occasional gusts on the third approach." He said about his last approach that "...everything appeared normal on crossing [the] threshold of runway 26." He stated, "at flare/touchdown a gust caused the aircraft to become airborne and turn to the left." The pilot said that he applied power to attempt a go around. He stated that the "aircraft continued [its] left turn, [and] then began descending." He said that the left main landing gear contacted the ground, which caused the aircraft to ground loop. The pilot stated the, "aircraft came to rest facing north in the center of the grass runway 18/36." The pilot listed the nose gear, right main landing gear, propeller, engine mount, both outboard wing tips, and horizontal stabilizer as airplane damage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an on-scene examination of the accident airplane. The examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The student reported to the inspector that the airplane was operating normally. At 0756, the General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin weather observation was: Wind 350 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition broken 2,200 feet overcast 4,900 feet; temperature 12 degrees C; dew point 7 degrees C; altimeter 29.86 inches of mercury. At 0856, the General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin weather observation was: Wind 340 degrees at 13 knots gusts to 20 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition overcast 2,400 feet; temperature 11 degrees C; dew point 6 degrees C; altimeter 29.88 inches of mercury. The pilot completed two full stop solo landings on runway 26 and aborted the third. He realized the winds had '...picked up somewhat with occasional gusts on the third approach.' He stated about his last approach that 'at flare/touchdown a gust caused the aircraft to become airborne and turn to the left.' The pilot said he applied power to attempt a go around and the 'airplane continued [its] left turn, [and] then began descending.' He said the left main landing gear contacted the ground, which caused the aircraft to ground loop and the 'aircraft came to rest facing north in the center of the grass runway 18/36.' The pilot listed damage to the nose gear, right main landing gear, propeller, engine mount, both outboard wing tips, and horizontal stabilizer. An on-scene examination of the accident airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. Wind at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin was 340 degrees at 13 knots gusts to 20 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12