# NTSB ERA09LA459: Cessna 150, N6676S, Sussex, NJ, August 12, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2009, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Sussex, NJ - Coordinates: 41.204723, -74.621391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2047&lon=-74.6214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA/FSDO, Cessna Aircraft - NTSB case key (mKey): 74501 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA459 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74501/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74501 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA459 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper pre-flight planning and take off over gross weight limits. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: cG/weight distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Following the takeoff, the airplane was slow to climb and clipped treetops beyond the end of the runway. The pilot then pulled back on the yoke and stalled the airplane. Examination of the engine did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation or the production of rated horsepower. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. According to weight calculations, the airplane was 24 pounds over maximum gross weight. Airplane climb capability was further compromised with the center of gravity located forward of the forward limit. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2009, at 0815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N6676S, operated by Royal Flying Club LLC, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain following a takeoff from Sussex Airport (FWN), Sussex, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and a passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, following the takeoff, the airplane would not gain altitude and started clipping the tops of trees beyond the end of the runway. The pilot pulled back on the yoke and stalled the airplane. The airplane collided with an embankment and came to rest in a creek. Examination of the wreckage by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and investigators from Teledyne Continental Motors and Cessna Aircraft Company, found that the airplane had come to rest in the creek in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude, substantially damaging the engine, cockpit, wings, empennage and stabilizers. Examination of the engine was performed by the Continental representative under FAA supervision. The inspection of the engine did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation and production of rated horsepower. Examination of the airframe was performed by the Cessna representative under FAA supervision. The inspection of the airframe and flight control system components showed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. A weight and balance calculation was performed using the airplane’s most recent weight and balance found in the logbooks (09/23/2000). According to the calculations, the airplane would have been 24 pounds over gross weight with a center of gravity outside the forward envelope. For the calculations, it was estimated that there were 10 pounds of baggage in the number 1 baggage area based on articles found at the crash site. The pilot reported 255 hours of total flight time with 138 hours in airplane make and model. The recorded weather at FWN, at 0753, included variable winds; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 21 degrees C; dew point 19 degrees C; and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6676S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6676S-2012-06-05), registration cancelled 2012-06-05, S/N 15067476, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067476 - Airframe hours: 6837 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O200 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Royal Flying Club LLC - Registered owner: Royal Flying Club LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 2009, 3.7 hours before - Departed: FWN, Sussex, NJ - Destination: FWN, Sussex, NJ - Airport: FWN, Sussex Airport, runway 21, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 5, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 138 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: FWN, 1 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 20090812015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090812015069A), Aug 12, 2009: Cessna 150H, Sussex, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed runway 21 from the Sussex new jersey airport (kfwn). The pilot was climbing out at a low airspeed due to aircraft weight, density altitude… ## Other investigations on N6676S (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 NYC81DFA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81DFA11), Jan 23, 1981: Cessna 150 (N6676S), Ellenville, NY, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC71AN055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71AN055), Nov 7, 1970: Cessna 150H (N6676S), Mountain Lakes, NJ, substantial damage, 1 fatal ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74501. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation, Continental Motors (item 3, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329271&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation,%20Continental%20Motors-Redacted.PDF - TCM Digital Photo, Most recent annual inspection pg 1 (item 4, .PDF, 768 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TCM%20Digital%20Photo,%20Most%20recent%20annual%20inspection%20pg%201-Master.PDF - Cessna digital photo, aft view of airplane (item 5, .PDF, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329275&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20digital%20photo,%20aft%20view%20of%20airplane-Master.PDF - Cessna Digital photo, Airplane as first viewed. (item 6, .PDF, 898 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Digital%20photo,%20Airplane%20as%20first%20viewed.-Master.PDF - Cessna Digital photo, Cockpit View (item 7, .PDF, 489 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Digital%20photo,%20Cockpit%20View-Master.PDF - Cessna digital photo, Front view of airplane after recovery (item 8, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20digital%20photo,%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20after%20recovery-Master.PDF - TCM digital photo, rotational damage to propeller spinner (item 9, .PDF, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TCM%20digital%20photo,%20rotational%20damage%20to%20propeller%20spinner-Master.PDF - Reports from Parties to the Investigation Cessna Final Report (item 10, .PDF, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20Cessna%20Final%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Aircraft Weight and Balance (item 11, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Aircraft%20Weight%20and%20Balance-Master.PDF 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.