# NTSB ATL87LA149: Cessna 150M, N704YK, Dahlonega, GA, May 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1987, 22:00 local (May 26, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Dahlonega, GA
- Coordinates: 34.530437, -83.979492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5304&lon=-83.9795&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 August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA149

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - unmarked (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - false indication (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND A HILLSIDE SHORTLY AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF FROM RWY 33 WHILE THE CFI WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE RT SEAT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE INTENDED TO FLY THE PATTERN TO DEMONSTRATE A LDG TO HIS STUDENT. DURING INITIAL CLIMB, HE LOST SIGHT OF THE TERRAIN AHEAD OF THE ACFT AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLEW A HDG OF 300 DEGREES USING THE DG. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY HIT TREES AND CAME TO REST NOSE-DOWN ON A HILL ABOUT 1/2 MILE DUE NORTH OF THE ARPT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE KNEW THE DG HAD A TENDENCY TO PRECESS EXCESSIVELY AND THAT HE HAD RESET IT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. POST-CRASH TESTING OF THE DG REVEALED THAT IT FAILED TO OPERATE WITHIN MFR SPECS. TOTAL REPORTED OPERATING TIME ON THE UNIT SINCE NEW WAS 1460 HRS. THE ARPT WAS OBSERVED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH LIGHTS ALONG ONLY THE FIRST 1000 FT OF THE RWY. THE CFI REPORTED THAT IT WAS ACCEPTED LOCAL PRACTICE TO DEPART ONLY ON RWY 15 AT NIGHT DUE TO THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES IN THE HILLY TERRAIN TO THE NORTH OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704YK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704YK-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 15078977, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- 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: 15078977
- Airframe hours: 1496
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dahlonega Aviation
- Registered owner: Dahlonega Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1987, 105 hours before
- Departed: 9A0, DAHLONEGA, GA
- Airport: 9A0, Lumpkin County Wimpys, runway 33, 3,000 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 766 total, 250 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19870525018669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870525018669A), May 25, 1987: Cessna 150M, Dahlonega, GA, Substantial damage. Collided with trees and hilly terrain during initial climb after departure. Found faulty directional gyro.

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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