# NTSB CHI06CA046: Cessna 150M, N9292U, Algona, IA, December 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 20, 2005, 19:38 local (Dec 21, 2005, 01:38 UTC) - Place: Algona, IA - Coordinates: 43.077777, -94.271942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0778&lon=-94.2719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Des Moines, IA, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63052/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA046 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent flight into unexpected instrument conditions and his visual look out not possible during takeoff leading to the nose over during the emergency landing after takeoff. Factors were the unexpected fog and the dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis The airplane piloted by a non-instrument rated private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and subsequent nose over during an off field landing after takeoff when the flight encountered unexpected fog about 1938. Dark night visual to instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot had returned from a cross country flight. The pilot stated, "On ground [approximately] 8 min[utes]. Took off AXA for a local flight. Sky looked clear. Rotated [and] climb to about 70'. Then engulfed in fog. ... Turned right to make open field to north of AXA. Could not see anything at this time. Cut power, leveled wings, [and] tried to just hold that attitude to reduce impact. Hit slightly nose down [attitude]. Skidded, then flipped over." The pilot checked the AXA Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). He stated that AWOS indicated clear weather before the flight. At 1915, the recorded weather was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 7 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature -15 degrees C; Dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. At 1935, the recorded weather was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 1/4 statute mile; present weather light snow; sky condition overcast 100 feet, temperature -14 degrees C; dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. ## Factual narrative On December 20, 2005, about 1938, a Cessna150M, N9292U, piloted by a non-instrument rated private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and subsequent nose over during an off field landing after takeoff when the flight encountered fog near Algona, Iowa. The personal flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual to instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating from the Algona Municipal Airport (AXA), near Algona, Iowa. The pilot's accident report stated: Returned from [Mason City Municipal Airport, Mason City, Iowa, to] AXA. (5:00pm [to] 7:30pm) [Weather] was clear dark night. (clear below 12000') Terrain flat. Landed AXA. On ground [approximately] 8 min[utes]. [Approximately] 7:38pm took off AXA for a local flight. Sky looked clear. Rotated [and] climb to about 70'. Then engulfed in fog. ... Turned right to make open field to north of AXA. Could not see anything at this time. Cut power, leveled wings, [and] tried to just hold that attitude to reduce impact. Hit slightly nose down [attitude]. Skidded, then flipped over. The pilot checked the AXA Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). He stated that AWOS indicated clear weather before the flight. At 1915, the recorded weather at AXA was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 7 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature -15 degrees C; Dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. At 1935, the recorded weather at AXA was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 1/4 statute mile; present weather light snow; sky condition overcast 100 feet, temperature -14 degrees C; dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9292U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9292U-2007-10-31), registration cancelled 2007-10-31, S/N 15078242, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078242 - Airframe hours: 6625.9 - Engines: Continental O-200 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James A. Kohlhaas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2005, 2.3 hours before - Departed: AXA, Algona, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 106 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast - Temperature: 7 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: AXA ## 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 20051220029119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051220029119A), Dec 20, 2005: Cessna 150M, Algona, IA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot departed Algona, IA (axa) with a passenger on a local VFR pleasure flight to mason city, IA (mcw) and return to axa. Prior to departure, he… 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.