# NTSB ATL89LA192: Cessna 150J, N5558G, Dunn, NC, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 10:06 local (14:06 UTC)
- Place: Dunn, NC
- Coordinates: 35.309104, -78.610076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3091&lon=-78.6101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA192

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY CALCULATE THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE REQUIRED FOR THE CONDITIONS AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING CLIMBOUT.

## 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 - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A 1,400 FOOT SOD AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH UTILITY LINES ABOUT 100 FEET OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS 1,600 FEET LONG. HOWEVER, THE MEASURED LENGTH WAS 1,400 FEET. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTS THE PILOT TO ADD ABOUT 17% TO THE CALCULATED TOTAL DISTANCE FOR ADDITIONAL TEMPS AND SOD SURFACES. A TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 1620 FEET WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5558G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5558G-1992-08-20), registration cancelled 1992-08-20, S/N 15071058 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071058
- Airframe hours: 3576
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Luther P. Denning
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: DUNN, NC
- Airport: Denning, runway 9, 1,400 × 66 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 144 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU

## 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 19890806030009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806030009A), Aug 6, 1989: Cessna 150J, Dunn, NC, Substantial damage. Struck wires on clibmout. Pilot misjudged runway length needed to clear obstacles per grass strip and excess heat.

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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