# NTSB ERA11CA313: Cessna 150M, N68844, Greenville, KY, May 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2011, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Greenville, KY - Coordinates: 37.226112, -87.156387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2261&lon=-87.1564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Louisville FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA313 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during takeoff after he reached to secure a seatbelt that was wedged in the passenger door. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff, he observed the passenger seatbelt wedged in the right side door and dangling outside the airplane. As he reached to open the door to move the seatbelt inside the cabin, the airplane impacted the runway resulting in substantial damage to the tail section. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff after becoming airborne, he saw that the passenger seatbelt was wedged in the right side door and dangling outside the airplane. As he reached to open the door to move the seatbelt inside the cabin, the airplane impacted the runway resulting in substantial damage to the tail section. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68844](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68844-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 15076179, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076179 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: M21, Greenville, KY - Destination: M21, Greenville, KY - Airport: M21, Muhlenberg County Airport, runway 05, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 50 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: OWB, 29 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 20110520013419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110520013419A), May 20, 2011: Cessna 150M, Greenville, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft was departing Greenville, KY (M21). Pilot stated passenger's seatbelt was stuck in the door, and he attempted to open the door and subsequently lost… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79223. 560 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350037&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.