ERA10CA420

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150A · West Liberty, KY · August 14, 2010

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
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.

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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.

Performance/control parameters: climb rateAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possibleCessna 150A: 1 caseAll aircraft: 265 casesProbable cause
Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitudeEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationCessna 150A: 1 caseAll aircraft: 278 casesProbable cause

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.