# NTSB CHI95LA115: Cessna 150, N5771G, Table Rock, NE, March 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1995, 18:00 local (Mar 24, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Table Rock, NE
- Coordinates: 40.170413, -96.079307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1704&lon=-96.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA115

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff.  Factors related to the accident were the crosswind conditions and the berm which the airplane contacted.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH A PRIVATE PILOT PASSENGER FROM AN 1800 FOOT BY 80 FOOT GRASS STRIP.  A 45 DEGREE 10 KNOT GUSTING TO 15 KNOT CROSSWIND EXISTED.  BELIEVING THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS, HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, DRIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY AND CONTACTED A DIRT BERM. THE NOSE WHEEL SHEARED OFF, AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On March 23, 1995, approximately 1800 central standard time, a Cessna 150, N5771G, operated by Harland Findlay of Table Rock, Nebraska, flipped over during an aborted takeoff from a farm strip in Table Rock, Nebraska, and was substantially damaged.  The student pilot and private pilot passenger were uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan as filed.  The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, as a local flight.

Winds were from the northeast at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.  The pilot stated that he believed he would not clear trees at the end of the north-south oriented strip, and attempted to abort the takeoff.  The airplane drifted off the 1800 foot by 80 foot grass strip, hit a berm, the nose wheel snapped off, and the plane flipped over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5771G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5771G-1999-01-26), registration cancelled 1999-01-26, S/N 15071271 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071271
- Airframe hours: 1742
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harland Findlay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1994, 17 hours before
- Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 36, 1,800 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; student; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19950323007169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950323007169A), Mar 23, 1995: Cessna 150K, Table Rock, NE, Substantial damage. Beleived unable clear trees on Private strip. Aborted takeoff. Drifted off runway. Hit berm. Snapped off nose gear.

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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