# NTSB ATL01LA057: Cessna 150G, N2808S, Pell City, AL, May 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2001, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Pell City, AL - Coordinates: 33.629493, -86.290969 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6295&lon=-86.2910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 21, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52290 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52290/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of the wrong runway that resulted in an attempted takeoff with a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, climb - weather condition - tailwind (cause) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were the third aircraft to depart runway 09 heading east. After liftoff, and climbing above the trees, the airspeed decreased and the airplane began to sink. The airplane collided with trees and burst into flames. No mechanical malfunction was found during examination of the airplane. The review of weather data showed that the takeoff was attempted with a 11 knot tailwind. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N2808S, collided with trees and burst into flames during climb out from Jim Still Airpark near Pell City, Alabama. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed by fire. The flight departed Pell City, Alabama, at 0858. The pilot stated they had visited a resident at the Jim Still Airpark with several other airplanes and were planning to return to Pell City. Reportedly, the windsock was 'limp", although the pilot had received an earlier briefing that indicated winds were out of the southwest. The pilot and passenger were the third airplane to depart in an easterly direction on runway 09. Shortly after liftoff from the private airstrip, as the airplane climbed above the trees, the pilot stated the airspeed decreased and the airplane began to sink The airplane collided with trees approximately 1000 feet from the department end of runway 09. After the pilot and passenger exited the airplane, it burst into flames. Examination of the airplane's performance data revealed a minimum required takeoff distance of 1585 feet to clear a 50 foot obstacle, under no wind conditions. The runway was 2200 feet long with trees on each end. Runway surface conditions were reported as damp grass at the time of the accident The observed weather conditions at Birmingham International Airport at 0853 central daylight time reported winds from 220 degrees at 11 knots. Density altitude was approximately 1700 feet. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. No mechanical malfunction was found during examination of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2808S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2808S-2004-08-28), registration cancelled 2004-08-28, S/N 15066708, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066708 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William B. Glenn - Registered owner: William D. Murphy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2000 - Departed: ODENVILLE, AL - Destination: PLR, PELL CITY, AL - Airport: Jim Still Airpark, runway 9, 2,200 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 28, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 13,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: BHM, 18 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 20010519010049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010519010049A), May 19, 2001: Cessna 150G, Ashville, AL, Destroyed. (.19)On may 19, 2001, at 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N2808S, collided with trees and burst into flames during climb out from a private airstrip… 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.