Witness Described Final Approach As Unstabilized, High, And Fast

Location: Port Orchard, WA Accident Number: WPR20LA215
Date & Time: 07/08/2020, 1554 PDT Registration: N22393
Aircraft: Cessna 150 Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On July 8, 2020, at 1554 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150H airplane, N22393, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Port Orchard, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

There were two witnesses to the accident, one near the approach end of the runway and one near the departure end. The airplane approached the airport from the east and entered the left traffic pattern for runway 02. One witness described final approach as unstabilized, high, and fast. The airplane continued to descend and when it was about ¼ of the way down the runway the airplane disappeared behind a berm. A few seconds later, the airplane came back to view and was at about 30 feet above ground level. The engine sounded as if it was at "full power" and one witness observed the flaps were still extended. The airplane appeared to be flying slowly and struggling to climb, as if it was "hanging onto a stall." The airplane began a right bank towards rising terrain and trees. The airplane's bank angle increased before the airplane impacted the trees in a "knife edge" attitude and dropped to the ground.

Both witnesses further reported that the airport has very tight margins and is a one-way airport. The north end of the runway is 50 feet higher than the south end; therefore, landings are limited to the north (uphill), and takeoffs to the south. Go-arounds are very difficult in all but high-performance aircraft.

The airplane has been recovered to a secure location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov