# NTSB ANC99LA142: Cessna 150, N63460, Big Lake, AK, September 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1999, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Big Lake, AK - Coordinates: 61.459609, -150.090759 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4596&lon=-150.0908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47331/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors associated with this accident were the pilot's failure to use the takeoff performance charts, the short runway and uphill takeoff, and a sudden windshift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor) - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the initial climb after takeoff from the 1,350 feet long grass airstrip, the airplane's left wing contacted brush, the airplane pivoted 180 degrees, and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot said he was departing uphill, and the winds were five to ten knots. The pilot also indicated that the headwind stopped during the takeoff. The Cessna 150 Takeoff Distance performance charts for 1,600 pounds takeoff weight, 20 degrees Celsius, and sea level pressure altitude, indicate the required ground roll is 765 feet, and the distance to clear a 50 feet high obstacle is 1,435 feet. The chart provides a 10% reduction in distance for each 9 knots headwind, and a 15% increase in distance for dry grass. No correction is provided to account for the uphill slope. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1999, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N63460, sustained substantial damage when it contacted brush during takeoff and initial climb from the Jewell Airstrip, at 61 degrees 43 minutes north latitude, 150 degrees 37 minutes west longitude, about 20 miles west of Big Lake, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger were not injured. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight in the local area. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on September 9, the pilot stated that during the initial climb after takeoff from the 1,350 feet long grass airstrip, the left wing contacted brush, the airplane pivoted 180 degrees, and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot said he was departing uphill, and the winds were five to ten knots. The pilot also indicated that the headwind stopped during the takeoff. The pilot estimated the airplane had 84 pounds of fuel on board. The Cessna 150 Takeoff Distance performance charts for 1,600 pounds takeoff weight, 20 degrees Celsius, and sea level pressure altitude, indicate the required ground roll is 765 feet, and the distance to clear a 50 feet obstacle is 1,435 feet. The chart provides a 10% reduction in distance for each 9 knots headwind, and a 15% increase in distance for dry grass. No correction is provided to account for the uphill slope. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63460](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63460), registered now, S/N 15077331, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15077331 - Airframe hours: 5567 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David P. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1999, 77 hours before - Airport: Jewell Airstrip, runway 33, 1,350 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 599 total, 415 in this make and model, 517 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19990906025469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990906025469A), Sep 6, 1999: Cessna 150, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 6, 1999, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N63460, sustained substantial damage when it contacted brush during takeoff… 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.