# NTSB CHI94LA114: Cessna 150M, N9396A, Independence, MO, March 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1994, 18:00 local (Mar 18, 1994, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Independence, MO
- Coordinates: 39.080478, -94.350738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0805&lon=-94.3507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA114

## Probable cause

were the premature lift-off, and the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting a takeoff from a soft field about one mile south of the Independence Memorial Airport, Independence, Missouri.  During the takeoff attempt, the right main landing gear and right wing struck the ground after lift-off.  The airplane then spun around and slid into the river.  The previous day the airplane had experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot had made a forced landing in the field without damage to the airplane.  The number 1 cylinder was changed in the field, and the pilot was attempting to fly the airplane out when the accident occurred.

## Factual narrative

On March 17, 1994, at 1800 central standard time, a Cessna 150M, N9396A, sustained substantial damage during an attempted off-airport takeoff from a field one mile south of the Independence Memorial Airport, Independence, Missouri.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The previous day, the engine had a loss of power after takeoff, and the pilot made a forced landing in the field south of the airport without damage to the airplane.  The number 1 cylinder was replaced with the airplane still in the field.  The pilot was attempting to fly the airplane out of the field when the accident occurred.  A witness stated the right main landing gear and the right wing contacted the ground, after lift-off, during the takeoff attempt.  The airplane then rotated 180 degrees and slid into the river.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9396A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9396A), registered now, S/N 150-78550, 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: 150-78550
- Airframe hours: 3492
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Helverson, Donald
- Registered owner: Vesta Ailshire
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1993, 92 hours before
- Airport: 3IP, Independence Memorial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,127 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 7,047 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 15 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 19940317006029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940317006029A), Mar 17, 1994: Cessna 150M, Independence, MO, Substantial damage. Landed in field after power loss. Changed a cylinder. Right main collapsed trying takeoff. Spun around into ditch.

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.

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