# NTSB ATL99LA111: Cessna 150M, N704ET, Asheboro, NC, July 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1999, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Asheboro, NC - Coordinates: 35.709659, -79.809951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7097&lon=-79.8100&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 August 21, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46836/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain flying speed that resulted in a stall and the subsequent collision 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) - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis According to the private pilot, the commercial pilot was providing instruction and a biennial flight review to determine proficiency in the airplane. The private pilot stated that he performed a soft-field takeoff, climbed above barriers, and at that point the commercial pilot took the controls. He then recalls sensing a lack of climb and verified a slight descent on the vertical situation indicator. The airplane then banked hard to the right and he felt a buffet followed by a nose-low attitude. The airplane collided with two sets of trees rendering him unconscious. He regained consciousness when the airplane collided with the ground. The FAA reported that a soft-field takeoff was performed with a three to five knot tailwind and 10 degrees of flaps from runway 18. The take-off run was begun 300 feet from the approach end of the 3100 foot long runway. After takeoff, the airplane collided with 50-foot trees off the departure end of the runway. No mechanical deficiencies with the airplane were reported by the pilots. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1999, at 1155 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N704ET, collided with trees on the departure end of a private airstrip near Asheboro, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot and commercial pilot both received minor injuries. The flight departed Asheboro, North Carolina, at 1150. According to the private pilot, the commercial pilot was functioning as a broker and flight instructor in a pre-sale transaction of the airplane. The commercial pilot was providing instruction and a biennial flight review to determine proficiency in the airplane before the sale was finalized. The private pilot stated that he performed a soft-field takeoff, climbed above barriers, and at that point the commercial pilot took the controls. He then recalls sensing a lack of climb and verified a slight descent on the vertical situation indicator. The airplane was then banked hard to the right and he felt a buffet followed by a nose-low attitude. The airplane collided with two sets of trees rendering him unconscious. He regained consciousness when the airplane collided with the ground. He exited the airplane and then re-entered to help the commercial pilot exit. The soft-field takeoff was attempted from runway 18 with 10 degrees of flaps. The prevailing winds at the time were from 0 degrees at 3 knots. The pilot started the take-off run 300 feet from the approach end of the 3100 foot long runway. After takeoff, the airplane collided with 50-foot trees off the departure end of the runway. At the time of departure, the grass on the runway surface was approximately five inches tall and dry. Fuel was found on the ground at the accident site. No mechanical deficiencies with the airplane were reported by the pilots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704ET](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704ET-2000-08-10), registration cancelled 2000-08-10, S/N 15078559 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078559 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory W. Farbo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1999, 5 hours before - Departed: 25NC - Destination: 3N8, CONCORD, NC - Airport: 25NC, Smith Airstrip Airport, runway 18, 3,100 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,810 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,420 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: INT, 39 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 19990720041359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990720041359A), Jul 20, 1999: Cessna 150M, Asheboro, NC, Substantial damage. (.4) According to the private pilot, the commercial pilot was providing instruction and a biennial flight review to determine proficiency in the airplane. The… 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.