# NTSB ATL88LA154: Cessna 150D, N5921T, Watkinsville, GA, April 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Watkinsville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.859676, -83.400299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8597&lon=-83.4003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

STRONG HEADWINDS WERE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE X-C FLT. THE PLT LANDED AT AN ARPT TO REFUEL BUT FOUND THE ARPT FBO TO BE CLOSED. HE CONTINUED ON TOWARD HIS DESTINATION. ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION, HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG IN A FIELD DUE TO A CRITICAL LOW-FUEL SITUATION. AFTER OBTAINING 5 GALS OF AVGAS FROM A NEARBY ARPT, HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF; BUT THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN AN ADJACENT PLOWED FIELD. THE PLT INITIALLY REPORTED THAT HE HAD ABORTED THE T/O AT 30-40 FT AGL AFTER HEARING THE STALL WARNING SOUND. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT HOWEVER, THE PLT RPTD THAT HIS ORIGINAL STORY WAS INACCURATE; HE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER T/O WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LDG. HE NOTED THAT HE HAD TOLD THE ORIGINAL, ERRONEOUS STORY BASED ON THE ADVICE OF THE ACFT OPERATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5921T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5921T-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 15060621, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060621
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James V. Moore, doing business as Moore Aerial Advertising
- Registered owner: Caufman, Jimmy C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: WDR, WINDER, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 81 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 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 19880424057339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880424057339A), Apr 24, 1988: Cessna 150D, Watkinsville, GA, Substantial damage. Stalled on climbout from a field. Had landed for fuel. Nosed over in a plowed field. Gave to versions of incident.

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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