# NTSB ATL89LA137: Cessna 150F, N8260F, Jacksonville, NC, April 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.800243, -77.360885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8002&lon=-77.3609&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 May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT AND PLAN WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH AN OVER GROSS WEIGHT CONDITION.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - wet
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A 2,300 FOOT WET SOD RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB OVER A TREE LINE ABOUT 30 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT FAILED TO CALCULATE THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 75 LBS OVER THE DESIGN GROSS WEIGHT. THE APRX TAKEOFF DISTANCE AT MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT WAS 1,385 FEET (DRY, HARD RUNWAY). THE PILOT SAID HE ELECTED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF PRIOR TO REACHING THE TREE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8260F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8260F-2012-04-13), registration cancelled 2012-04-13, S/N 15064360, 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: 15064360
- Airframe hours: 2482
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles E. Carson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1988
- Airport: PVT, Private, runway 24, 2,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NCA

## 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 19890426011599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890426011599A), Apr 26, 1989: Cessna 150F, Jacksonville, NC, Substantial damage. Overgross weight and unable to climb out from short strip, hit trees off departure end of runway.

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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