# NTSB CHI08CA276: Cessna 150J, N50753, Spring Grove, IL, August 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 31, 2008, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Spring Grove, IL - Coordinates: 42.453056, -88.205001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4531&lon=-88.2050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA276 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Contributing factors were the trees and the high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071820), [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. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he taxied the two-seat Cessna 150 airplane from the hangar onto the privately owned 2,000-foot grass airstrip and departed to the north. A witness stated that he observed the airplane take off, but that it was slower than usual. The witness stated that the airplane usually gained altitude quickly after takeoff, but it seemed to nose-up and began "plowing forward" without gaining altitude. The airplane banked hard left and hit some trees. The airplane nosed over when it impacted the ground. The pilot, his son, and his 18-month-old grandson received minor injuries. The pilot reported that the engine was operating properly. The inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies to the airframe or engine. The pilot indicated that there were 100-foot trees north of the departure end of the runway, but that there were no obstacles to the south. The winds were from the east at about 9 knots. The local temperature was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which produced a density altitude of about 2,914 feet. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by a "more thorough assessment of density altitude and choice of runway heading for departure." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he taxied the two-seat Cessna 150 airplane from the hangar onto the privately owned 2,000-foot grass airstrip and departed to the north. A witness stated that he observed the airplane takeoff, but it was slower than usual. The witness stated that the airplane usually gained altitude quickly after takeoff, but it seemed to nose-up and began "plowing forward" without gaining altitude. The airplane banked hard left but it hit some trees. The airplane nosed over when it impacted the ground. The pilot, his son, and his 18-month-old grandson received minor injuries. The pilot reported that the engine was operating properly. The inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies to the airframe or engine. The pilot indicated that there were 100-foot trees north of the departure end of the runway, but there were no obstacles to the south. The winds were from the east at about 9 knots. The local temperature was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which produced a density altitude of about 2,914 feet. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by a "more thorough assessment of density altitude and choice of runway heading for departure." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50753](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50753-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 15069530, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069530 - Engines: Continental O-200A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Samuel F. Hutchinson - Registered owner: Samuel F. Hutchinson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Spring Grove, IL - Destination: 3LL4, Spring Grove, IL - Airport: 3LL4, Pillow Hill Airstrip, runway 360 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,590 total, 26 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080831846209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080831846209A), Aug 31, 2008: Cessna 150J, Spring Grove, IL, Destroyed. (-23)On August 31, 2008 at aproximately 1700 (l) N50753, a Cessna-150J taxied to runway 36 at pillow hill airport (3LL4). Pillow hill airport is located in… 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.