# NTSB ANC96LA001: Cessna 150, N4024J, Hoonah, AK, October 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 1995, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Hoonah, AK - Coordinates: 58.110527, -135.399581 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.1105&lon=-135.3996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2776 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2776/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA001 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation. Factors relating to the accident were: improper weight and balance configuration, and unsuitable terrain in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - improper (contributing factor) - proper climb rate - not possible - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The gravel runway was 3000 feet in length and surrounded by higher terrain in all quadrants. The wind was reported from 360 degrees at 3 knots. During the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane would not climb quickly enough to avoid trees on rising terrain. The pilot turned toward a flat spot for an emergency landing. Subsequenlty, the airplane struck an area of cleared timber and received damage to the landing gear, main cabin fuselage, and wings. The pilot reported to law enforcement officers that he thought the airplane was overloaded. The flaps were found extended about 20 degrees. Calculation of the weight and balance indicated that the airplane had been loaded above its maximum gross weight limit of 1600 pounds, and the center of gravity was aft of the allowable limit. Examination of weight and balance data revealed the empty weight of the airplane had been miscalculated by the operator; the empty weight was listed as 38 pounds below the actual empty weight. The pilot said he used the weight and balance data contained in the airplane records and figured the accident flight was 2.9 pounds below the maximum gross weight limit. The actual gross weight, calculated from weight figures provided by the pilot, was 35.1 pounds over the maximum gross weight limit. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 1995, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150, N4024J, crashed after takeoff, about 1 mile northeast of Hoonah, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Juneau, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Juneau Flying School, Juneau, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The sole passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he departed runway 05 for a return flight to Juneau. He said that after rotation, the airplane would not climb quickly enough to avoid trees and rising terrain, and he turned toward a flat spot for an emergency landing. The airplane struck an area of cleared timber and received damage to the landing gear, main cabin fuselage, and wings. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site on October 7, 1995, and reported in part: "The trailing edge flaps were observed extended, estimated to be 20 degrees. The flap actuating switch was found in the centered position." The Hoonah Airport had a single asphalt surface runway oriented on a 050/230 degree magnetic heading at an elevation of 30 feet mean sea level. Runway 05 was 3,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. The Alaska Supplement/Facilities Directory stated in part: "Airport remarks - Unattended. Runway condition not monitored, recommend visual examination prior to use. High terrain all quadrants." The Chief of Police, Hoonah Police Department, reported that he talked with the pilot after the accident. The pilot stated in part:..."I had just rented the airplane from Juneau to come to Hoonah and Pick up Glen...I think we were a bit overloaded. I didn't pay too much attention to the weight of the bags Glen had, but I think just between the two of us the plane was overloaded. We're a couple of pretty big guys..." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Juneau Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), calculated the weight and balance of the airplane utilizing the Hoonah Police Department's estimated weights of the occupants and baggage. At the time of the accident, the gross weight of the airplane was calculated to be 1,675.75 pounds. The gross weight limit of the airplane is 1,600 pounds. The center of gravity moment was calculated to be 61,813.85. The airplane's center of gravity limits are 52,500 to 60,000. On June 29, 1997, the pilot provided additional information concerning the manner in which the airplane's weight and balance was calculated by the operator. The empty weight of the airplane, listed by the operator in the airplane documents, was 1014.75 pounds. Utilizing that listed empty weight, and weight and balance amounts provided by the pilot, he calculated the gross weight of the airplane at the time of the accident as 2.9 pounds below maximum gross weight. The operator utilized an incorrect value for the weight of fuel and an incorrect value for the arm portion of the oil weight calculation. Utilizing the correct airplane weight amounts, the empty weight of the airplane was found to be 1052.75 pounds, an increase of 38 pounds. Utilizing the weight and balance amounts provided by the pilot, the actual gross weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was 35.1 pounds over maximum gross weight limit. Listed below is the corrected calculations for the airplane and flight: AIRCRAFT WEIGHT Item Scale Fuel Net Weight Left Wheel 496 Right Wheel 489 Nose Wheel 235 Total 1,220 -156(Full fuel) 1,064 COMPUTED WEIGHT AND BALANCE Item Weight Arm Moment Nose Wheel 235 -10.78 -2,533.3 RH Main Wheel 489 47.87 23,408.43 LH Main Wheel 496 47.87 23,743.52 26 Gal Fuel -156 42.0 -6,552.0 6Qt Oil -11.25 -12.0 135.0 Total 1,052.75 38,201.65 WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS FOR FLIGHT Item Weight Arm Moment A/C 1,052.75 38,201.65 OIL 11.25 -12.0 -135.0 Survival Suit 14.0 64.0 896.0 Rifle 7.0 64.0 448.0 Duffel 29.0 64.0 1,885.0 Fuel 65.1 42.0 2,734.2 Pilot 216.0 39.0 8,424.0 Pax 240.0 39.0 9,360.0 Total 1,635.1 61,813.85 ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4024J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4024J-1999-06-15), registration cancelled 1999-06-15, S/N 15065324 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065324 - Airframe hours: 4795 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dick L. Randall - Registered owner: Juneau Flying School - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 27, 1995, 100 hours before - Departed: HNH - Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK - Airport: HNH, Hoonah, runway 5, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,252 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,152 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: Z49, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19951006031279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951006031279A), Oct 6, 1995: Cessna 150G, Hoonah, AK, Substantial damage. Over gross and aft CG on takeoff. Unable to climb. Crash landed in cleared timber area. ## Other investigations on N4024J (2) 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 SEA71DVQ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DVQ06), Aug 8, 1970: Cessna 150 (N4024J), Christmas V, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA68D0171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0171), Aug 23, 1967: Cessna 150G (N4024J), North Bend, OR, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.