# NTSB ATL91LA075: Cessna 150M, N45150, Pollocksville, NC, April 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1991, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Pollocksville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.000835, -77.219352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0008&lon=-77.2194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA075

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST LIGHT AIRPLANE FLIGHT IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. DURING CLIMBOUT FOLLOWING A SIMULATED POWER-OUT APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND ENTERED A RIGHT-HAND SPIN. THE PILOT NEUTRALIZED THE CONTROLS; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN BEFORE FULL RECOVERY COULD BE MADE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE STALL, THE AIRPLANE WAS AT A 10 DEGREE NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE WITH ABOUT 45 DEGREES OF BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45150](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45150-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 15076756, built 1975 (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: 15076756
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air East, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air East, Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: EWN, NEW BERN, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWN, 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 19910401010949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910401010949A), Apr 1, 1991: Cessna 150M, Pollocksville, NC, Substantial damage. Pulled up after sfl practice banked steeply stalled entered spin recovered just prior to impacting trees.

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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