# NTSB CEN18LA274: Cessna 150, N50183, Lakeview, AR, July 12, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 2018, 20:30 local (Jul 12, 2018, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeview, AR - Coordinates: 36.348888, -92.555831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3489&lon=-92.5558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 97801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97801/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97801 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA274 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s impairment by alcohol and multiple medications, which led to his failure to maintain obstacle clearance during takeoff and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Health/Fitness: use of medication/drugs](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013020): Personnel issues › Physical · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 73 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013020/cases.md) - [Health/Fitness: use of alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013025): Personnel issues › Physical · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013025/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013025/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: prescription medication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012025): Personnel issues › Physical · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012025/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071818), [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 150H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that after takeoff from the grass airstrip, the left wing impacted a tree branch. He overcorrected from the impact and stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted a grass clearing and came to rest inverted near trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Although his blood alcohol level was not tested after the accident, the student pilot stated that he drank alcohol during the afternoon of the flight. In addition, he admitted to taking baclofen and bupropion, which are both potentially impairing medications that carry specific warnings about increased impairing effects when used in combination with alcohol. It is likely the pilot was impaired by his use of a combination of alcohol, baclofen, and bupropion and that these effects likely increased his willingness to fly while impaired and prevented him from safely taking off. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 2018, about 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N50183, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lakeview, Arkansas. The student pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The student pilot reported that after takeoff from the grass airstrip at the resort, the left wing impacted a tree branch. The student pilot overcorrected from the impact and aerodynamically stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted a grass clearing and came to rest inverted near trees. The student pilot was extracted from the wreckage and transported via an air ambulance helicopter to a hospital for medical treatment. The student pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A witness reported that prior to the accident, she observed the student pilot with a white cup and the student pilot reported to the witness that the cup had a margarita in it. She further reported that she observed him about three times at the resort with two cups "every time." The student pilot invited the witness for a ride in his airplane, but she declined. About five minutes later, she heard the accident and she observed "all the cups" at the accident site. Local law enforcement found liquid believed to be alcohol in a white cup in the wreckage. The student pilot had reported no chronic medical conditions and only the use of finasteride to the Federal Aviation Administration. After the accident, he reported to his health care providers that he had muscle spasms, major depression, hypertension, and was taking baclofen, bupropion, a combination tablet of lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, as well as finasteride to treat these conditions. In addition, he admitted that he drank alcohol during the afternoon before the flight. The student pilot refused a blood draw from law enforcement and no clinical toxicology test was performed. The student pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50183](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50183-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 15069114 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (H) - 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: 15069114 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Continental O-200 Series 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3M0, Lakeview, AR - Destination: 3M0, Lakeview, AR - Airport: 3M0, Gastons, runway 24, 3,200 × 55 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 38; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KBPK, 4 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 20180711010879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180711010879A), Jul 11, 2018: Cessna 150H, Lakeview, AR, Destroyed. On 11 July 2018 approximately 8:30 pm, a Cessna 150H S/N15069114, registered as N50183. Impacted the ground after striking a tree during takeoff. The aircraft… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97801. 2.2 MB in all. - Accident Photographs (item 1, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484531&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%20-Master.PDF - Records of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Records%20of%20Conversation%20-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484535&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20-Master.PDF - NTSB Medical Factual Report (item 4, .PDF, 238 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484536&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Medical%20Factual%20Report%20-Master.PDF - NTSB Party Member Form (item 5, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Member%20Form%20-Master.PDF 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.