ATL96FA035

According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to prepare the student pilot for his upcoming private pilot's flight check. After completing the upper air maneuvers, they entered the traffic pattern for a touch-and-go landing at a private airstrip. The pilots completed the before landing checklist, and the airplane touched down on the first one third of the 2,300 foot long paved surface. During the takeoff phase of the procedure, the student pilot returned the carburetor heat lever to the cold position, and advanced the throttle full forward. According to the instructor, the airplane did not appear to operate at its full ability. At this point, he took control of the airplane and aborted the takeoff. Subsequently, the airplane collided with a utility pole about 500 feet from the departure end of the runway. During a functional check of the engine, it was operated to 2,300 RPM; no mechanical problems were discovered during the run-up.

History of flight

On January 14, 1996, at 1231 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150G, N3751J, collided with a pasture fence post and a utility pole while maneuvering at a private airstrip near Social Circle, Georgia. The dual instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the instructor pilot was seriously injured. The flight departed Covington, Georgia, at 1200

According to the certified flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to prepare the student for his private pilot's certification check ride. After completing the standard upper air maneuvers, the student was given an engine out exercise. The student completed the emergency procedure and terminated that phase of the flight with a low pass over Sleepy Hollow airstrip. The flight instructor asked the student if he would like to land at the airstrip and the student said, yes. During a conversation with the flight instructor, he stated that, after confirming the surface wind condition, the student entered the traffic pattern for the southeast runway. The flight instructor further stated that the airplane touched down on the first one third of the 2300 foot runway.

After the landing, the student retracted the flaps, returned the carburetor heat to the cold position, and applied full engine power. Shortly after the student achieved the rotation airspeed, the instructor recalled that the airplane did not appear to be performing at it's "maximum ability." At this point, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane, reduced the throttle, lowered the flaps and aborted the takeoff attempt. The instructor pilot said that the airplane touched down beyond the departure end of the paved runway surface, crossed the highway and collided with a utility pole.

Aircraft information

Information on the airplane is included in this report on page 2 of the factual report under the data field labeled "Aircraft Information".

Meteorological information

Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is contained in this report on page 3 of the factual report under the data field labeled "Weather Information". The review of weather data disclosed that weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

Wreckage and impact information

An examination of the accident site disclosed that freshly disturbed dirt and wreckage debris were scattered over an area 500 feet long and 25 feet wide. The wreckage path was orientated on a 120 degree magnetic heading. Further examination of the accident site revealed that the right main landing gear made a 300-foot long track in the grass off the departure end of runway 12. An examination of the right main landing gear track and the right wing outboard panel disclosed that, as the airplane continued the southbound track, the outboard wing panel collided with a fence post before crossing an adjacent paved road. The airplane rested adjacent to utility pole and the top half of the utility pole was severed. The lower portion of the utility pole was wrapped around the left side of the airframe at the left wing root (see attached photographs of accident site) The right wing assembly sustained tip and root damage. The assembly was displaced aft from the normally installed position. The empennage section sustained twisting damage aft the rear bulkhead. Fresh dirt and grass clippings were also discovered in the tie-down ring on the bottom side of the aft empennage. Flight control cables were pulled out of the normally installed position; pre-impact flight control connections were verified at the accident site.

Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that the cockpit flooring at the pilot's station was buckled, and the pilot's seat sustained permanent deformation through the seat pan. The airframe was also torn just forward the seat installation. The left instrument panel was displaced aft toward the pilot's station. The cockpit examination found the throttle in the retarded position and the carburetor heat lever was in the cold position.

Following the wreckage removal from the accident site, the engine assembly was prepared for a functional check. The functional check was conducted with the same engine components involved in the accident. The engine started and operated up to 2300 rpm; safety consideration prevented engine operation above 2300 rpm. The examination of the aircraft failed to disclose a mechanical problem.

Medical and pathological information

On January 15, 1996, the postmortem examination on the student pilot was conducted by Dr. Howard Barton at the Walton County Medical Center in Monroe, Georgia. The toxicological examinations disclosed that 0.080 (ug/ml, ug/g) of clomipramine was detected in the blood sample. Clomipramine is an over the counter cold medication.

Additional information

The wreckage was released to Mr. Phil Powell, an insurance adjuster, employed with Carson and Brooks of Atlanta, Georgia