# NTSB ATL91LA103: Cessna 150F, N8026S, Monroe, NC, May 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1991, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, NC
- Coordinates: 34.980335, -80.540382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9803&lon=-80.5404&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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF. THE UNMOWED GRASS RUNNWAY WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vr) - not obtained
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS PRACTICING SOFT/SHORT FIELD TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS AT A PRIVATE, GRASS AIRSTRIP. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, HE OBSERVED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT REACHING TAKEOFF SPEED. HE ROTATED THE AIRPLANE AS IT APPROACHED THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. AS THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, THE LANDING GEAR COLLIDED WITH A FENCE, AND THE PROPELLER SLASHED THE HOOD OF AN AUTOMOBILE. THE AIRPLANE THEN CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. THE GRASS ON THE AIRFIELD WAS ABOUT 18 TO 20 INCHES HIGH. THE AIRPLANE GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 1573 POUNDS (27 POUNDS UNDER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8026S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8026S-1992-02-20), registration cancelled 1992-02-20, S/N 15061626 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061626
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waxhaw Aero Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Waxhaw Aero Club, Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 35, 2,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 250 total, 75 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910530018379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910530018379A), May 30, 1991: Cessna 150F, Monroe, NC, Substantial damage. Tried to depart tall grass strip on hot no wind day near gross weight. Pulled it off end of strip. Hit fence auto.

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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