# NTSB CHI98LA038: Cessna 150, N50579, Plymouth, IN, November 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 17, 1997, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, IN - Coordinates: 41.339324, -86.310211 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3393&lon=-86.3102&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 January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10782/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA038 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the crosswind, soft field takeoff. Factors in this accident were the pilot not following the airplane manufacturer's recommended takeoff procedures by lowering the flaps, and the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - short field takeoff/procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot began taking off from a cut soybean field that was covered with about 3 inches of snow. He said the airplane encountered a left, front, quartering crosswind during the takeoff. Shortly after lift off, the airplane banked to the right. The pilot said he did not use 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff as the manufacturer recommended in the pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane. During the right bank, the airplane's right wingtip contacted the field's surface. According to the pilot, the airplane cartwheeled after that. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 1997, at 1800 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 150, N50579, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with the ground following takeoff from a snow covered, cut, soybean field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed the cut soybean field that was about 3-miles northwest of Plymouth, Indiana, at 1800 est. The pilot said he exhausted the airplane's fuel during a cross country flight. He said he made a forced landing without incident. The pilot said he refueled the airplane with about 10 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot, the field he was taking off from was covered with about 3-inches of snow. He said a front, lefthand, 40-degree crosswind of 5 to 10 knots existed when he began the takeoff roll. The pilot said the airplane lifted off the ground when he used the manufacturer's recommended soft field takeoff technique. He said the airplane began a bank to the right shortly after takeoff. The airplane's right wingtip dragged on the ground causing the airplane to cartwheel, according to the pilot. The pilot was asked how many degrees of flaps he had extended for the soft field takeoff. He said he did not extend any flaps for the takeoff. The Cessna 150 pilot's operating handbook states that, "...the use of 10 [degrees of] flaps is reserved... for takeoff from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead." The pilot said there were no obstacles in front of the takeoff path that would have created a clearance problem for the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50579](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50579-1998-10-27), registration cancelled 1998-10-27, S/N 15069410 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069410 - Airframe hours: 7001 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wings, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1997 - Departed: MCX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 12 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SBN, 21 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 19971117033049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971117033049A), Nov 17, 1997: Cessna 150J, Plymouth, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot landed in a snow covered field. Refueld, tried to take off. Dragged rt wingtip. Tail, resulting in ground imp (-23) the pilot made an emergency landing… ## Other investigations on N50579 (2) 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. - [NTSB CHI72DET13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DET13), Feb 22, 1972: Cessna 150G (N50579), Dowagiac, MI, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC69F0200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0200), Sep 27, 1968: Cessna 150J (N50579), Ft.Lenard Wood, MO, substantial damage 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.