# NTSB ATL99LA079: Cessna 150J, N50943, Seneca, SC, May 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1999, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Seneca, SC - Coordinates: 34.679679, -82.950523 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6797&lon=-82.9505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46203 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46203/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (cause) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot established a final approach for a touch and go landing. The pilot landed with 40 degrees of flaps, and during the takeoff phase of the touch and go procedure, he retracted the flaps to 10 degrees. He continued the climbout and retracted the remanding flaps in increments. As he retracted the flaps, the airplane lost altitude and collided with trees. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to the pilot's handbook takeoff should not be accomplished with 30 or 40 degrees of flaps. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1999, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N50943, collided with trees during climbout from a private airstrip near Seneca, South Carolina. The flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Pickens County Airport in Pickens, South Carolina, at 1700, enroute to Clemson, South Carolina. After refueling at Pickens, the pilot and his son flew to a friend's private airstrip near, Seneca, South Carolina. After takeoff, the pilot flew directly to his friend's airstrip. Upon arriving at his friend's airstrip, they noticed that his friend's car was not there, so the pilot's son suggested they make a touch and go landing before returning home. The pilot established a final approach for a normal landing with 40 degrees of wing flaps. After the touch down the pilot stated that he retracted the flaps, but noticed during the initial climb that the flaps had only retracted to 30 degrees. As he continued the climb the pilot retracted the flaps another ten degrees. Shortly after retracting the flaps to 20 degrees the airplane lost lift and altitude, and collided with trees on the departure end of the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to the Cessna 150 pilot's handbook, "flap deflections of 30 and 40 degrees are not recommended at any time for takeoff". Ten degrees of flap may be used for short or soft field takeoffs. The pilot stated that " in the future, wherever possible, I intend to stay off grass runways"; the departure runway was grass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50943](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50943-2008-08-05), registration cancelled 2008-08-05, S/N 15069663, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069663 - Airframe hours: 4370 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James L. Pierson - Registered owner: James L. Pierson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1999, 20 hours before - Departed: LQK, PICKENS CO, SC - Destination: CUE, OCONEE CO, SC - Airport: PVT, Eddie Wright, runway 36, 2,500 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,676 total, 150 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 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 19990501004369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990501004369A), May 1, 1999: Cessna 150J, Senca, SC, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown circumstances and sustained substantial damage. (.4)the pilot established a final approach for a touch and go landing. The pilot… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.