# NTSB ATL91LA174: Cessna 150J, N6866G, Wilsonville, AL, September 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1991, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Wilsonville, AL
- Coordinates: 33.230587, -86.46981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2306&lon=-86.4698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA174

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF FLAPS DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE RISING RUNWAY CONDITIONS, AND THE DEPARTURE END OBSTRUCTIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A HARD, DIRT AIRSTRIP.  THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS UPSLOPING, WITH DEPARTURE END OBSTACLES (TREES). OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 93 DEGREES.  TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT WAS 1580 POUNDS, OR 20 POUNDS UNDER MAX GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER ROTATION, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES, SO HE LANDED HARD, STRAIGHT AHEAD.  THE NOSE GEAR SHEARED OFF AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE USED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR THE TAKEOFF; THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT OBSTACLE CLEARANCE TAKEOFFS ARE TO BE PERFORMED WITH FLAPS UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6866G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6866G-1994-10-13), registration cancelled 1994-10-13, S/N 15072366 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072366
- Airframe hours: 4809
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ramsey, Samuel H.
- Registered owner: Ramsey, Samuel H.
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1991, 3 hours before
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 33, 2,600 × 80 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,097 total, 74 in this make and model, 3,921 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910914039969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910914039969A), Sep 14, 1991: Cessna 150J, Wilsonville, AL, Substantial damage. After liftoff from dirt strip believed unable to clear trees. Aborted. Collapsed nose gear. Density altitude factor

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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