# NTSB ATL91LA171: Cessna 150L, N11503, Pickens, SC, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1991, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Pickens, SC
- Coordinates: 34.790302, -82.690628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7903&lon=-82.6906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA171

## Probable cause

THE PANICKED, INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE STUDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
  - control interference - intentional, dual student (cause)
  - panic, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT SAID THAT A WALK-IN STUDENT REQUESTED AN INTRODUCTORY LESSON.  PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF NERVOUSNESS BY THE STUDENT.  AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 50 FEET, THE STUDENT PANICKED, GRASPED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, YELLED, AND TRIED TO HIDE BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.  AFTER GRASPING THE CONTROL WHEEL THE STUDENT POSITIONED THE AIRPLANE LEFT WING AND NOSE DOWN.  THE INSTRUCTOR FOUGHT FOR THE CONTROLS WITH PARTIAL SUCCESS.  AFTER COLLIDING WITH TREES HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL & THE IGNITION & MASTER SWITCHES.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST THE INSTRUCTOR ASSISTED THE STUDENT, WHO WAS STILL GRASPING THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, TO EXIT THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11503](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11503-2015-03-11), registration cancelled 2015-03-11, S/N 15075468, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075468
- Airframe hours: 2750
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Skyline Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Back Country Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1991, 50 hours before
- Airport: LQK, Pickens County, runway 4, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,004 total, 230 in this make and model, 869 as pilot in command, 201 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AND, 20 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 19910908038689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910908038689A), Sep 8, 1991: Cessna 150L, Pickens, SC, Substantial damage. Student on demonstration flight panicked on takeoff,grasped control forcing wing and nose down. CFI unable recover.

## Other investigations on N11503 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI75FEK18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEK18), Dec 11, 1974: Cessna 150L (N11503), Zanesville, OH, substantial damage

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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