# NTSB ATL04CA127: Cessna 150, N10424, Decatur, AL, June 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2004, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Decatur, AL - Coordinates: 34.650276, -86.944999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6503&lon=-86.9450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birminghan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59574 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59574/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in collision with utility wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot, he took off from the private grass airstrip with the intention of "buzzing" a friend's property. He stated that after he located the property and observed people outside, he turned the airplane around to begin maneuvering to a lower altitude. He stated that at about 1500 feet mean sea level, he began a descent over a field in the general direction of the property. He said he saw the power lines a short time and distance later, and he advanced the throttle to full power and pulled up on the yoke. He stated that the engine did not produce an immediate response. The airplane collided with the power lines 50 feet above ground level and a subsequent forced landing was attempted in a nearby field. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the firewall sustained extensive damage, the windscreen was broken from mounts, both wings incurred spar and rib damage, the fuselage and tail were buckled and bent, and the nose gear was torn from the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 2004, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N10424, owned and operated by a non-certificated pilot, collided with utility lines while maneuvering in Decatur, Alabama. The personal flight was operated 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 received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Hampton-Russell Airstrip, Decatur, Alabama, at 1530 on June 6, 2004. According to the pilot, he took off from the private grass airstrip with the intention of "buzzing" a friend's property. He stated that after he located the property and observed people outside, he turned the airplane around to begin maneuvering to a lower altitude. He stated that at about 1500 feet mean sea level, he began a descent over a field in the general direction of the property. He said he saw the power lines a short time and distance later, and he advanced the throttle to full power and pulled up on the yoke. He stated that the engine did not produce an immediate response. The airplane collided with the power lines 50 feet above ground level and a subsequent forced landing was attempted in a nearby field. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the firewall sustained extensive damage, the windscreen was broken from mounts, both wings incurred spar and rib damage, the fuselage and tail were buckled and bent, and the nose gear was torn from the fuselage. The pilot reported he and the previous owner of the airplane made a verbal agreement to exchange ownership of the airplane approximately two years ago, but registration paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration was never filed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10424](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10424-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 15074853, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15074853 - Airframe hours: 4837 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clifford Lamar Collins - Registered owner: Charles Hampton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2004 - Departed: PVT, Decatur, AL - Airport: PVT, Hampton-Russell Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: HSV, 10 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 20040606008389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040606008389A), Jun 6, 2004: Cessna 150L, Decatur, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Low level "buzzing" of houses by non-certificated operator/person. Aircraft struck power line damaging wing and stopping engine. Off airport emergency… 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.