# NTSB ATL95LA130: Cessna 150L, N28445, Holly Ridge, NC, July 2, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1995, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Holly Ridge, NC
- Coordinates: 34.489585, -77.550712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4896&lon=-77.5507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA130

## Probable cause

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

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073201
- Airframe hours: 6683
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 21; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950702033069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950702033069A), Jul 2, 1995: Cessna 150L, Holly Ridge, NC, Substantial damage. Low approach closed military field. Wing hit tree. Returned to departure field. Landed. Landing due sick passenger.

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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