# NTSB ATL84FA250: Cessna 150F, N6979F, Banner Elk, NC, August 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1984, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Banner Elk, NC
- Coordinates: 36.160205, -81.869728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1602&lon=-81.8697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA250

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT OBSERVED TO DEPART SHORT STRIP IN HI DENS ALT CONDITIONS, 'WOBBLED INTO THE AIR.' ACFT DID NOT CIRCLE FOR ALTITUDE, BUT HEADED STRAIGHT AHEAD TOWARD RISING TERRAIN 'WINGS ROCKING' AT SLOW SPEED BEFORE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE FOUND IN ACFT STRUCTURE, PWER PLANT OR SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6979F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6979F-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 15063579, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15263579
- Airframe hours: 2194
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kiffer,Disire A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1983, 45 hours before
- Departed: BANNER ELK, NC
- Destination: ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5A7, Elk River, runway 30, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 381 total, 373 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840809039099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840809039099A), Aug 9, 1984: Cessna 150F, Banner Elk, NC, Destroyed. During climbout wings wavered, sudden roll and pitch down to ground. Gross weight takeoff into rising terrain.

## Other investigations on N6979F (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 MIA78DLA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DLA29), Apr 20, 1978: Cessna C-150F (N6979F), Tallahassee, FL, 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.

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