# Accident 20231210020499A: Cessna 150L, Lajas, PR, December 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 10, 2023, 17:50 local time
- Place: Lajas, PR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 18.0109° N, 67.0691° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.0109&lon=-67.0691&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1707Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1707Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 150L (registry code 2071826, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 18,312 total, 4,300 in this make and model, 63 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA063) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231210020499A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023, AT 17:50 LOCAL TIME (2150 ZULU), THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING FROM AN UNCHARTED AIRFIELD AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAJAS ENROUTE TO MERCEDITA AIRPORT (TJPS). THE DEPARTURE AIRFIELD IS PRIVATE.  IT HAS A SINGLE GRASS RUNWAY THAT IS UNLIT WITH EAST-WEST ORIENTATION. AT THE POINT OF ROTATION/LIFT OFF ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LIFTED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE AND THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED INTO GROUND EFFECT. AT THAT POINT, THE RIGHT-WING TIP OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A BUSH OF TALL SAWGRASS WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO YAW TO THE RIGHT INTO THE VEGETATION ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE RUNWAY RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN IMPACTING THE GROUND AND TUMBLED OVER AND AROUND BUSHES ON SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED. THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE UNHARMED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA24LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA063), Dec 10, 2023: Cessna 150L (N1707Q), Lajas, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from bushes alongside the runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff.

## Other reports on N1707Q (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19760516012279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760516012279A), May 16, 1976: Cessna 150L (N1707Q), Moca, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. 1 Wing struck steel sugar cane wagon during ldg roll. Throttle control bolt to carburetor missing.
- [Accident 19731209039269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731209039269A), Dec 9, 1973: Cessna 150L (N1707Q), Humacao, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Grass 4 to 5FT tall on sides of rwy.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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