ATL95LA130

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150L · Holly Ridge, NC · July 2, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
July 2, 1995, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
Place
Holly Ridge, NC
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N28445Cessna 150L
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 21, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19950702033069A
Case key
3590

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the pilot diverted his attention and failed to maintain clearance from obstacles.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Object - tree(s)
Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Diverted attentionPilot in commandCause

Analysis

The pilot reported that during a low approach to a closed military outlying field, the airplane struck a tree with the wing. His attention was diverted by the passenger who had become airsick. Following the collision, the airplane returned to the departure airfield and landed without further incident.

Factual narrative

On July 2, 1995, at 1345 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N28445, collided with a tree during a low approach into the OLF Camp Davis Navy airfield, near Holly Ridge, North Carolina. There were no injuries to the private pilot nor his passenger, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at Jacksonville, North Carolina at 1230 on the same day.

The pilot reported that while making approaches at OLF Camp Davis, a closed outlying Navy airfield, his passenger became air sick and began to throw up out the window. The pilot stated that while he was distracted with the passenger's condition, the airplane clipped a tree with the wing.The pilot flew directly back to the Jacksonville Airport and landed the aircraft. There was substantial structural damage to the aircraft wing.

A report of the accident on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not provided by the pilot.

Aircraft

Registration
N28445
Reported as
Cessna 150L
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15073201
Airframe hours
6,683
Engine
Continental O-200A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Daniel J. Lynch
Registered owner
Tarhell Aviation, Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · March 22, 1995
Departed
OAJ · Jacksonville, NC
Airport
NONE · Olf Camp Davis

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
21
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
280° at 6 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
25,000 ft broken
Temperature
86 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
ILM, 15 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.