# NTSB CEN09CA131: Cessna 150M, N778ME, Sellersburg, IN, January 11, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 11, 2009, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Sellersburg, IN - Coordinates: 38.365554, -85.738334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3656&lon=-85.7383&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73227/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA131 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. An additional cause was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident occurred during the student pilot's initial takeoff on an instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that shortly after liftoff the airplane turned slightly into the wind before entering an aerodynamic stall out of ground effect. The flight instructor immediately assumed control of the airplane and attempted to recover from the stalled condition. The airplane impacted the runway nose first and then bounced several times before coming to rest. The engine firewall, engine mounts, nose landing gear, lower cowling, and propeller were damaged. ## Factual narrative The accident occurred during the initial takeoff of an instructional flight. The student pilot was flying the airplane during the takeoff. The flight instructor reported that shortly after liftoff the airplane turned slightly into the wind before entering an aerodynamic stall out of ground effect. The flight instructor immediately assumed control of the airplane and attempted to recover from the stalled condition. The airplane impacted the runway nose first and then bounced several times before coming to rest. The engine firewall, engine mounts, nose landing gear, lower cowling, and propeller were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N778ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N778ME-2018-11-13), registration cancelled 2018-11-13, S/N 15078703, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078703 - Airframe hours: 5167.3 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hap's Aerial Enterprises, INC. - Registered owner: Hap's Aerial Enterprises, INC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 2008 - Departed: KJVY, Sellersburg, IN - Destination: KJVY, Sellersburg, IN - Airport: KJVY, Clark Regional Airport, runway 18, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 493 total, 6 in this make and model, 417 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 12 total, 7 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KLOU, 10 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 20090111001459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090111001459A), Jan 11, 2009: Cessna 150L, Sellersburg, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) This flight was to be an instructional flight. The student performed a normal takeoff. After becoming airborne at approximately 30 feet, the aircraft… 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.