# NTSB CHI97LA155: Cessna 150, N60971, Woodbine, IA, May 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1997, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Woodbine, IA - Coordinates: 41.730709, -95.699523 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7307&lon=-95.6995&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10585/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors were the high temperature and high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - weather condition - temperature,high (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Nose over, takeoff - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis During takeoff, the pilot said the airplane lifted about ten feet in the air '...for a little bit...' before settling down. It lifted off and settled down again, at which time the nose gear separated from the airframe. She stated that the airplane '... kept flying, like it wanted to go...' until the tail began dragging and the airplane pitched down. It then nosed over and came to rest inverted. In her written statement the pilot said that the conditions '...could have been a little better.' She noted that the hot, humid weather, tall grass on the runway, and full fuel tanks contributed to the aircraft '...not wanting to fly.' ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1997 at 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N60971, was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over during an attempted takeoff at the Woodbine Airport, near Woodbine, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot said that the airplane lifted about ten feet in the air "...for a little bit..." before settling down. It lifted off and settled down again, at which time the nose gear separated from the airframe. She stated that the airplane "...kept flying, like it wanted to go..." until the tail began dragging and the airplane pitched down. It then nosed over and came to rest inverted. In her written statement, the pilot said that the conditions "...could have been better." She noted that hot, humid weather, tall grass on the runway, and full fuel tanks contributed to the aircraft "...not wanting to fly." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the site found that the throttle was able to be exercised through its full range of motion through eight cycles without difficulty. It was noted that during this time, the accelerator pump continued to deliver fuel as designed. There was no obstruction in the carburetor inlet and the butterfly valve moved through full travel with no restriction. It was determined that all four cylinders were producing compression. There was no fouling of any spark plug, and each one produced a spark when tested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60971](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60971-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 15070705, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - 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: 15070705 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rosemary Grady - Registered owner: Boyer Valley Flyers Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1996, 46 hours before - Departed: 3Y4 - Airport: 3Y4, Woodbine, runway 17, 1,100 × 95 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 25 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19970531013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970531013689A), May 31, 1997: Cessna 150J, Woodbine, IA, Substantial damage. Aircrft was unable to become airborne on takeoff and nose gear became stuck in ditch, nosed over into a field. 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.