# NTSB CHI07CA139: Cessna 150, N7772E, English, IN, May 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2007, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: English, IN - Coordinates: 38.324443, -86.495834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3244&lon=-86.4958&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65880/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA139 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning due to his decision to takeoff downwind, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line. Contributing factors to the accident were the power line and the trees. ## 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 - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a power line and collided with trees following takeoff from a private grass field. The pilot attempted to takeoff to the north. He stated that after lifting off approximately half way down the field (1200 feet by 40 feet, turf), the airplane encountered a tailwind and he felt that he did not have enough engine power to out climb the approaching power line. The tail wheel snagged the power line and the airplane subsequently impacted a group of trees. The pilot noted that there were no malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. He added that "the engine appeared to be running normally and producing normal power." Wind conditions reported in the vicinity of the accident site were from 220 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a power line and collided with trees following takeoff from a private grass field. The pilot attempted to takeoff to the north. He stated that after lifting off approximately half way down the field (1200 feet by 40 feet, turf), the airplane encountered a tailwind and he felt that he did not have enough engine power to out climb the approaching power line. The tail wheel snagged the power line and the airplane subsequently impacted a group of trees. The pilot noted that there were no malfunctions associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. He added that "the engine appeared to be running normally and producing normal power." Wind conditions reported in the vicinity of the accident site were from 220 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7772E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7772E-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 17572, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17572 - Airframe hours: 3200 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Piper Services Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005 - Departed: I42, Paoli, IN - Destination: PVT, English, IN - Airport: PVT, Harden, runway 36, 1,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 25 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HNB, 22 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 20070515011369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070515011369A), May 15, 2007: Cessna 150, English, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) May 15, 2007 at approximately 11:00 am the pilot [privacy data omitted] was attempting to depart downwind from a grass runway located in English Indiana.… 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.