# NTSB CHI95LA077: Cessna 150F, N8981S, Castlewood, SD, January 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1995, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Castlewood, SD
- Coordinates: 44.720565, -97.030647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7206&lon=-97.0306&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 May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA077

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors associated with the accident are the snow covered/drifted runway, and a fence.

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE LANDED ON THE NORTH/SOUTH ORIENTED RUNWAY AT THE PRIVATE, SNOW COVERED SOD AIRSTRIP, BUT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON THE EAST/WEST SOD RUNWAY BECAUSE IT APPEARED TO HAVE LESS SNOW. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT SAID THE LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED DRIFTED SNOW WHICH SLOWED THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF RUN, AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE NEAR THE END OF THE 2,400' RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF AND CRASHED.

## Factual narrative

On January 21, 1995, about 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N8981S, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a fence shortly after liftoff from a snow covered private airstrip located near Castlewood, South Dakota.  The solo commercial pilot reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed.  The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and the intended destination was Valley City, North Dakota.

The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that he landed on the North/South section of the private airstrip, but elected to depart on the East/West runway because it appeared to have less snow covering.  During the takeoff roll, the pilot said that the airplane's landing gear encountered snow drifts which slowed its  acceleration. The airplane lifted off near the end of the runway,  struck a fence with its elevator, and crashed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8981S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8981S-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 15062281, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062281
- Airframe hours: 6407
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph E. Breeding
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1994
- Destination: 6D8, VALLEY CITY, ND
- Airport: Private, runway 9, 2,400 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,030 total, 625 in this make and model, 907 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F

## 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 19950121001759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950121001759A), Jan 21, 1995: Cessna 150F, Castlewood, SD, Substantial damage. Unable to accelerate on snow covered strip due to snow packing in wheel covers. Collided with a fence on liftoff. (-23) on January 21, 1995, at approximately…

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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