- Date
- August 14, 2010, 19:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place
- West Liberty, KY
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N7023XCessna 150A
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 7, 2011
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20100814044189A
- Case key
- 76961
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's premature turn toward trees during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's high gross weight and density altitude that precluded a normal takeoff and climb.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
According to the pilot, he filled the airplane with 26 gallons of fuel before the accident flight. Following a preflight inspection, he set the flaps at 10 degrees for departure. After the airplane became airborne, the pilot began turning 30 degrees to the left when he noticed that the airplane was not going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that he heard the stall warning horn before the airplane hit the trees. The airplane descended to the ground and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had made a poor decision to depart with the airplane's high gross weight and the high density altitude. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, he filled the airplane with 26 gallons of fuel before the accident flight. The pilot performed a preflight, and then he and the passenger got into the airplane and taxied to the runway. He set the flaps at 10 degrees before he departed from runway 25. After the airplane was in the air, the pilot began turning 30 degrees to the left when he noticed the airplane was not going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that he heard the stall warning horn before the airplane hit the trees. The airplane fell to the ground, and came to rest inverted causing substantial damage. In his statement, the pilot commented that he “made a poor decision due to weight and very hot conditions.” The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. Winds, recorded at an airport 19 miles to the south about the time of the accident, were calm.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7023X
- Reported as
- Cessna 150A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15059123
- Engine
- Cont Motor 0-200 SERIES, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- 9I3 · West Liberty, KY
- Destination
- 9I3 · West Liberty, KY
- Airport
- 9I3 · West Liberty, runway 25, 2,400 × 60 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 58
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Last flight review
- November 25, 1997
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 242 total · 49 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.92 inHg
- Observed at
- JKL, 19 nm away
Docket · 7
The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.1 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.