# NTSB ERA10CA420: Cessna 150A, N7023X, West Liberty, KY, August 14, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 14, 2010, 19:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: West Liberty, KY
- Coordinates: 37.908611, -83.251113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9086&lon=-83.2511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA420
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76961/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76961
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA420

## 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

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071804), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7023X-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 15059123, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150A
- Registry model: [Cessna 150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150a) (registry code 2071804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15059123
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; 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

## 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 20100814044189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100814044189A), Aug 14, 2010: Cessna 150A, West Liberty, KY, Substantial damage. On August 14, 2010 at 7:00 pm (1900Z) EDT, Cessna 150-A, N7023X, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after stalling upon departure from the West…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76961. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Witness Statments (item 4, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statments-Redacted.PDF
- West Liberty Police Department Statement (item 5, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=West%20Liberty%20Police%20Department%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- 1961 C150A Performance Data (item 6, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=1961%20C150A%20Performance%20Data-Master.PDF
- Weather Records: JKL METARs (item 7, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336069&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Records%3A%20JKL%20METARs-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.

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