# NTSB BFO92LA001: Cessna 150H, N23398, Saluda, VA, October 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1991, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, VA
- Coordinates: 37.599063, -76.589721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5991&lon=-76.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WITH INADEQUATE RUNWAY TO STOP. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST MUFFLER BAFFLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - exhaust system,baffle - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT COMPLETED THE PREFLIGHT AND PRETAKEOFF CHECKLIST SATISFACTORILY. HE PREPARED FOR A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF BY HOLDING THE BRAKE AND ADDING FULL POWER.  HE RELEASED THE BRAKES AND AS THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERTED TO LIFT OFF SPEED 3/4 DOWN THE RUNWAY AND HE WAS ABOUT TO ROTATE AT 65 KNOTS, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BACKFIRE.  HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, PULLED THE POWER OFF AND APPLIED THE BRAKES.  HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE RUNWAY ONTO A FIELD WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. FAA EXAMINATION OF THE MUFFLER REVEALED RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST BAFFLE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23398](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23398), registered now, S/N 15068928, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068928
- Airframe hours: 4675
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mmark S. Stanley
- Registered owner: M & P Enterprises, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1991, 60 hours before
- Departed: W36, CHESAPEAKE, VA
- Airport: W75, Hummel Fld, runway 18, 2,261 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 71 total, 54 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 23 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 19911018047399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911018047399A), Oct 18, 1991: Cessna 150H, Saluda, VA, Substantial damage. Loud bang on takeoff. Aborted and ran off end runway into a ditch. Exhaust baffle broke loose,restricted exhaust.

## Other investigations on N23398 (1)

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 GAA18CA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA235), Feb 11, 2018: Cessna 150 (N23398), Statesville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain crosswind correction during landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and flight instructor’s decision…

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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