# NTSB BFO87LA038: Cessna 150K, N5747G, Selbyville, DE, May 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1987, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Selbyville, DE
- Coordinates: 38.469806, -75.170234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4698&lon=-75.1702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA038

## 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
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE PILOT STATED THAT AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FEET HE EXPERIENCED A SLOW SINKING OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL THROTTLE, THE FLAPS SET AT 10 DEGREES AND THE AIRSPEED AT 70 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SINK AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES. FLT PURPOSE WAS PRACTICE FOR BANNER TOWING OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5747G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5747G-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 15071247, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071247
- Airframe hours: 1339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Atlantic Coastal Aerial Ads, doing business as Sky Banners
- Registered owner: G & D Enterprises, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1987
- Airport: ON7, Warrington, runway 17, 2,180 × 94 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,654 total, 40 in this make and model, 4,384 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 17 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 19870516081829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870516081829A), May 16, 1987: Cessna STC150, Selbyville, DE, Destroyed. Appears PIC had an early liftoff and was unable to obtain flying speed. Settled into trees and impacted the ground.

## Other investigations on N5747G (3)

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.

- [NTSB IAD76DKW36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76DKW36), Jul 18, 1976: Cessna 150 (N5747G), Lawrenceburg, TN, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI74DEA31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEA31), Mar 2, 1974: Cessna 150 (N5747G), Bloomington, IN, no damage
- [NTSB CHI70D0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0024-156487), Sep 15, 1969: Cessna 150 (N5747G), Louisville, KY, substantial damage

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.
